U21s Match Report: Liverpool Hold Blackpool To Complete Bristol Street Motors Trophy Journey

Liverpool U21s 1-1 Blackpool U21s (Blackpool win 5-4 on penalties)

Liverpool's young guns ended their Bristol Street Motors Trophy campaign with a penalty shootout defeat to Blackpool at Prenton Park on Tuesday night.

Leighton Clarkson and Jake Cain were on target for the young Reds but it was the visitors who progressed to the semi-finals thanks to their triumph in the spot-kicks.

Liverpool started the game brightly and took the lead after just 10 minutes when Clarkson fired home from close range.

Blackpool levelled midway through the second half when substitute Ethan Robson nodded home from close range and neither side could find a winner in the remaining minutes, meaning the tie went straight to a shootout.

Liverpool scored their first three penalties through Mateusz Musialowski, Max Woltman and Clarkson but Blackpool goalkeeper Chris Maxwell made a fine save to deny Cain.

Robson then levelled it up and when Harvey Blair fired wide, Blackpool substitute Callum Johnson held his nerve to send his side through.

Liverpool Lineup

Liverpool U21s: Jaros, Bradley, Quansah, Gomez, Wilson, Stephenson, Clarkson, Corness, Musialowski, Cain, Woltman

Blackpool Lineup

Blackpool U21s: Maxwell, Trusty, Moore, Moore, Feeney, Robson, Clayton, Lavery, Baggley, Lubala, Barker

Reaction

"It was a tough game and we're disappointed not to have won but we can be proud of the performance," said Liverpool U21s coach Barry Lewtas.

"We played some good football and created some good chances but we just couldn't find that winning goal.

"We'll learn from this and come back stronger next season."

What's Next?

Liverpool U21s are back in action on Friday night when they travel to Manchester United in the Premier League 2.