Neil Critchley’s U21s team have entered the competition for the first time, with eight Category One academies facing off against sides from League One and League Two.
Today’s draw pitched the Reds into Group B against League One’s Accrington Stanley and Fleetwood Town, plus League Two’s Oldham Athletic.
The academy sides will play all of their group games away from home to increase their experience of playing on league grounds, with fixture dates still to be confirmed.
The tournament format involves 16 regionalised groups of four with the top two qualifying for the last 32.
Knockout games will be decided by penalty shootouts if level after 90 minutes except the final, which will be held at Wembley on April 5, 2020.