A Liverpool Below-21s facet that includes three 16 12 months olds put up a valiant show as they fell to a 5-2 defeat in opposition to League One opposition within the EFL Trophy.
Blackpool 5-2 Liverpool U21s
EFL Trophy, Bloomfield Highway
October 10, 2023
Objectives: Morgan 45+3′, Kouassi 46′, 75′, 89′, Lyons 90+6′; Glatzel 30′, Musialowski 66′
It was a particularly younger facet that took to the sphere in opposition to Blackpool in what was at all times more likely to be a big check for Barry Lewtas‘ facet.
The Reds’ beginning 11 had a mean age of 18.1 years, with Carter Pinnington, Amara Nallo and Kieran Morrison all chosen at simply 16 years of age.
Liverpool U21s have been additionally arising in opposition to their former boss Neil Critchley, who spent seven years on the membership and had spells at varied ranges of the academy system.
The youthful nature of the facet made their early lead all of the extra spectacular, with Paul Glatzel opening the scoring as Mateusz Musialowski turned supplier.
The pair have been the one two recognised forwards in what was in any other case a relatively defensive matchday squad and the Reds have been quickly required to name upon these attributes.
Liverpool bravely protected their benefit till the very finish of the primary half, when Albie Morgan fired house to place the hosts again on phrases.
That scoreline was short-lived after the break, with Kylian Kouassi making an instantaneous affect after changing Karamoko Dembele at half-time and placing Blackpool in entrance with the primary of his three objectives on the night.
It was precisely the begin to the second interval Lewtas and his group would have hoped to have averted, however they have been in a position to recuperate properly and preserve themselves within the recreation within the aftermath.
The younger Reds subsequently levelled issues up with round 25 minutes left on the clock after Morrison’s shot was parried into the grateful path of Musialowski to fit house.
Critchley’s facet pushed for a response they usually have been compelled to attend lower than 10 minutes to forge one other breakthrough as Kouassi headed house an correct cross from the right-hand facet to revive Blackpool’s benefit.
It was at that time that the sport acquired away from Liverpool’s kids, with Kouassi finishing his hat-trick by working his approach by way of the defence and bending a shot past Fabian Mrozek shortly earlier than harm time.
34-year-old Jay Spearing was among the many second-half substitutes to be launched as he continues to behave as a player-coach throughout the facet.
Andy Lyons rounded off the night by changing from shut vary within the remaining few seconds, making the scoreline look extra convincing than the Reds’ efficiency deserved.
Liverpool U21s: Mrozek; Davidson, Pinnington, Nallo, Miles; McConnell, Pilling (Spearing 83′), Onanuga (Jonas 75′); Musialowski (Pitt 88′), Morrison, Glatzel
Subs not used: Kelly, Pennington, Furnell-Gill
Subsequent match: Benfica (H) – PL Worldwide Cup – Sunday, October 22, 2pm (BST)
