What a night for Liverpool’s U21s!
There are nights in football where the result almost doesn’t tell the full story.
This was certainly one of them.
Liverpool’s youngsters produced an incredible fightback against Rochdale in the EFL Trophy on Tuesday night, coming from 3-1 down with 10 men to force a 3-3 draw before winning the penalty shootout 7-6.
And if there was one player who stood out before the dramatic late comeback, it was Will Wright.
What a performance from the young forward.
Will Wright’s wondergoal
Liverpool were reduced to 10 men as early as the 21st minute when Mor Talla Ndiaye was sent off for denying a goalscoring opportunity.
That made the task considerably harder for Rob Page’s side, particularly against a Rochdale team containing plenty of senior experience.
Rochdale eventually took the lead through Devante Rodney.
But Liverpool weren’t going to sit back and accept their fate.
And Wright produced a moment of genuine quality.
The 18-year-old picked up the ball, drove into the box, used some brilliant footwork to beat defenders and then curled an excellent finish into the top corner.
That was some goal.
Liverpool’s official report described it as a stunning solo effort, while Page himself said Wright was a “constant threat” throughout the game.
And Wright almost put Liverpool ahead before half-time, only to be denied in a one-on-one.
This is exactly what you want to see from a young attacking player.
Confidence. Personality. And the willingness to make something happen.
Ten men for around 70 minutes
Liverpool then had to play the majority of the match with only ten players.
Rochdale eventually took advantage and Ian Henderson scored twice in the second half to put the hosts 3-1 ahead.
At that point, most people would have expected the game to be over.
But this Liverpool group clearly didn’t get that message.
Instead, they kept going.
And going.
And going.
Then came the madness…
Liverpool pulled one back in the 94th minute.
Ben Trueman was in the right place at the right time to finish from close range.
Suddenly it was 3-2.
And Rochdale were probably starting to wonder what on earth was happening.
Then, just two minutes later, Liverpool completed the comeback.
Trueman’s effort was saved, but Josh Sonni-Lambie followed up to make it 3-3.
From 3-1 down with ten men to forcing a penalty shootout.
Absolutely incredible.
Liverpool had shown the sort of resilience that you simply cannot coach overnight.
Page has spoken about wanting to develop a winning mentality within his young players, and this was perhaps the perfect example of that mentality.
Liverpool win the shootout
There was still more drama to come.
Liverpool held their nerve from the penalty spot and scored all seven of their penalties.
Will Wright, Ben Trueman, Oliver O’Connor, Joseph Bradshaw, Luke Chambers, Sonni-Lambie and Daniel Onanuga all converted.
Harvey Davies then produced the decisive save as Liverpool won the shootout 7-6 and claimed the bonus point.
What a way to start their EFL Trophy campaign.
This is what Liverpool’s academy should be about
Yes, this is an U21 competition.
Yes, it is only one game.
But nights like this matter.
These young players are learning what it means to play for Liverpool.
They are learning that games aren’t over when things go against them.
They are learning to keep fighting.
And they’re doing it while playing against experienced senior professionals.
That’s why I loved this result.
Rob Page has clearly been trying to build a mentality within this group, and after the game he praised the character and resilience his players showed.
And then there’s Will Wright.
The 18-year-old already looks like a player who isn’t afraid to take responsibility.
That goal wasn’t a tap-in.
It wasn’t a lucky deflection.
It was a proper piece of individual quality.
Liverpool supporters should keep an eye on him.
Will Wright
And what a night for Liverpool’s U21s.
3-3 after 90 minutes.
Down to 10 men for around 70 minutes.
Two goals in stoppage time.
7-6 on penalties.
Now that’s a Liverpool comeback.
Jamie (The Kopite View)
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