Liverpool’s under-21s picked up a uncommon level within the EFL trophy with a gutsy comeback in opposition to League Two’s Harrogate City, lacking out on a bonus level in a penalty shootout.

Harrogate City 1-1 Liverpool U21s (4-2 on pens)

EFL Trophy Group Stage (2), The Train Stadium
September 24, 2024

Targets: Muldoon 44′; Norris 75′

For the second time within the competitors this season, the younger Reds had been up in opposition to League Two opposition, with Twentieth-placed Harrogate City enjoying host on Tuesday night.

After Arne Slot hinted at a spot within the matchday squad in opposition to West Ham, 17-year-old Trey Nyoni, once more, was unsurprisingly not concerned right here – notably nor was Tyler Morton or Tom Hill.

Thirty-five-year-old Jay Spearing was comfortably Liverpool’s most skilled and vocal participant within the XI, providing a bodily presence that was missed within the 5-1 defeat at Crewe final day trip.

Forward of the match, supervisor Barry Lewtas stated, “we definitely really feel we’re in a greater place now than we had been [vs. Crewe],” and early indicators pointed to that.

Liverpool restricted Harrogate’s possibilities to check Harvey Davies and confirmed promise of their very own predominantly on the left by means of James Norris and Trent Kone-Doherty, who was making his first begin of the season.

A bodily presence up high was the notable lacking piece for the younger Reds because the small ahead line was not aided by fixed excessive balls that favoured Harrogate’s towering defenders.

The hosts confirmed the worth of getting that sort of participant by cruelly scoring simply moments earlier than the interval, with a robust header making it 1-0 after a excessive turnover within the Reds’ defensive third.

Half time: Harrogate 1-0 Liverpool U21s

There was a extra concerted effort within the second half to maintain the ball on the bottom and play to the benefit of the Reds’ pacey wingers, and it paid off.

Liverpool refused to roll over in opposition to their League Two counterparts and with the two,037 dwelling followers groaning amid their strain, Norris pressured an equaliser within the seventy fifth minute.

After successful a decisive problem in Harrogate’s half – which may have led to a wave of strain going the opposite method had they misplaced it – the Reds brilliantly labored their method into the field for Norris to steer a shot into the far nook.

A 1-1 draw was the outcome on the closing whistle, securing a uncommon and gutsy level for the younger Reds, solely their fifth since they first joined the competitors in 2019/20!

Beneath the foundations of the EFL Trophy, although, all attracts go to a penalty shoot-out to present one group the chance to earn an additional level.

Liverpool had their first penalty saved and had the crossbar deny them one other to lose 4-2 on penalties.

TIA Man of the Match: Trent Kone-Doherty

Liverpool U21s: Davies; Miles, Fortunate, Pinnington, Norris; Spearing (Davidson 63′), Corness (Kellu 85′), Laffey (Pilling 63′); Morrison, Kone-Doherty, Figueroa (Cannonier 63′)

Subs not used: Misciur, Nallo

Subsequent Match: Arsenal (A) – Premier League 2 – Friday, September 27, 7pm (BST)