Liverpool’s youngsters are facing detention after sleeping in and missing school following their defeat of Chelsea in Sunday’s League Cup final.
Manager Jurgen Klopp, who included eight academy players in his squad, has taken full responsibility and apologised on the under 14’s behalf.
“They were so happy to win we did a little party on the way back to Liverpool,” said Klopp. “We put on some cartoons and Robbo handed out fizzy drinks and jelly beans. The sugar high was maybe too much.
We even dressed up Thiago as SpongeBob SquarePants, to cheer him up, but it spooked Darwin. Now Thiago is out maybe six, maybe eight more years.”
The youngsters, some of whom weren’t even born before kick-off, would not settle for their parents, who all needed several extra cups of coffee this morning.
“Dannsy’s mother told me he ran up and down the stairs all night, and Bobby Clark wouldn’t stop singing Allez Allez Allez. It must be the terrible twos!” said Klopp.
“We apologise to the schools. We know education is super, super important, but it’s not every day you win at Wembley before you hit puberty. And they learned a great footballing lesson – never sign for Chelsea.”