Match reportLiverpool U21s beaten away at Blackpool in EFL Trophy
Liverpool U21s suffered a 5-2 defeat away at Blackpool in the EFL Trophy on Tuesday night.
Paul Glatzel had given the young Reds the lead after 30 minutes of the group-stage encounter, before goals from Albie Morgan and Kylian Kouassi put Neil Critchley's League One outfit 2-1 up.
Mateusz Musialowski restored parity at Bloomfield Road midway through the second half but two more Kouassi efforts and an Andy Lyons strike decided the tie.
Speaking post-match, U21s head coach Barry Lewtas told Liverpoolfc.com: "We did really well in terms of the level of performance.
"Obviously it was a tough game, they had a good team, they were a Championship team last year. We've brought a team here and I think we've been competitive, I think we've stayed in the game.
"Obviously near the end we conceded two late goals but overall we know where we are and we know how to reflect on it, and we're happy."
A bright start from the hosts had Liverpool goalkeeper Fabian Mrozek on alert from the first whistle, denying Jake Beesley on two occasions inside the opening six minutes.
The Blackpool pressure would continue as Morgan dragged a shot wide and then later set up Karamoko Dembele, who blazed over a golden opportunity from inside the area.
Meanwhile, the Reds' first real foray forward in the 17th minute saw Musialowski drive towards goal and hit a low shot that was kept out by Rich O'Donnell.
Having spent most of the first half-hour on the back foot, it was Liverpool who came up with the opening goal. Musialowski's next charge helped produce it.
The attacker quickly pounced on a loose touch from Owen Dale and slipped a pass to Glatzel inside the box, with no mistake made with the finish in front of goal.
Mrozek was called into action soon after, saving first from Marvin Ekpiteta's header from a corner and then magnificently clawing away a follow-up attempt from Beesley.
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But the stopper was unable to prevent the equaliser right on the stroke of half-time, as Morgan's whipped free-kick from around 25 yards out found the bottom corner.
Blackpool went ahead immediately following the interval. A threaded pass from deep split Amara Nallo and Josh Davidson in the Reds backline, allowing substitute Kouassi to convert with virtually his first touch in the match.
That setback drew a good response from Lewtas' side, who forced a pair of saves from O'Donnell prior to the leveller arriving.
Kieran Morrison's initial shot from the edge of the box was palmed out by the Blackpool 'keeper, but Musialowski reacted quickest to poke home the rebound and make it 2-2.
It was level again for just nine minutes, though, as Kwaku Donkor's first-time cross from the right was nodded past Mrozek by Kouassi.
Liverpool's fighting spirit remained on show – James McConnell and Glatzel both going close to producing a quick response – but the game was put beyond reach when Kouassi completed his hat-trick in emphatic fashion and Lyons added another close to full-time.
TEAM
Liverpool U21s: Mrozek, Miles, Nallo, Pinnington, Davidson, Onanuga (Jonas, 75), Pilling (Spearing, 83), McConnell, Morrison, Musialowski (Pitt, 88), Glatzel.
Unused subs: Kelly, Pennington, Furnell-Gill.
NEXT UP
The U21s return to action on Sunday October 22 in the Premier League International Cup for a home meeting with Benfica.
They conclude their EFL Trophy group away at Barrow on November 7.
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