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Liverpool Under-21s boss Rob Page has said "it doesn't make sense" for the Jersey Mike's Trophy to be held during the international break after his side were beaten 4-0 by Huddersfield Town on Tuesday.
The League One leaders were three goals up by half-time, with Joe Taylor scoring twice and Joe Low adding a third, before Cameron Ashia got a fourth after the break.
Huddersfield and Doncaster Rovers had already secured the two spots for the knockout stages in Group H.
And Page, who was adamant there were plenty of positives for his youthful side to take, said: "It's like we're fighting with one arm tied behind our back.
"I understand the principles of playing this competition. We want to expose our lads to league opposition - of course we do - but let us have our best players.
"It doesn't make sense to put it in the international window. It's so frustrating. That's why I'll never have a go at those lads. Some of those Huddersfield players have been playing league football for years. You've got one of the top scorers in League One [Taylor] and we're asking them to go out and have a level fight.
"It's not even but we can't cry about it. It is what it is. We've got a couple of players on international duty that could have helped the team, but it's still a good learning for us."