Kaide Gordon scored twice as Liverpool U21s exited the EFL Trophy, despite drawing 2-2 with Chesterfield before beating them 11-10 on penalties.
Chesterfield 2-2 Liverpool U21s (10-11 on pens)
EFL Trophy (3) , SMH Group Stadium
November 11, 2025
Goals: Hobson 62′, Duffy 64′; Gordon 76′ 90+2′
After a strange game defined by individual errors in sideways rain, it was Liverpool who emerged the winners on penalties, but they were still knocked out at the group stage for the sixth time in seven years.
Having lost their first two EFL Trophy group games 2-0, coach Rob Page decided to line up with a back five against Chesterfield and it initially worked.
Calvin Ramsay captained the team at right-back, while defenders Rhys Williams, Wellity Lucky and Carter Pinnington marshalled the middle, with Josh Davidson covering the left.
Michael Laffey and Tommy Pilling held the midfield, while Afolami Onanuga, Joe Bradshaw and Gordon formed the attack.
The Reds created the best of the early chances: Ramsay heading over and Bradshaw denied in a one-on-one by goalkeeper goalkeeper Ryan Boot.
Half time: Chesterfield 0-0 Liverpool U21s
After the break, Liverpool were made to pay for their missed opportunities as the rain caused havoc.
Goalkeeper Fabian Mrozek was at fault for Chesterfield’s first of two quickfire goals just after the hour mark, letting Bailey Hobson’s shot go straight through him following a deflection.
Next it was the turn of Pilling to make a mistake, the 21-year-old’s blind pass hitting Will Dickson in the area who set up Dylan Duffy to finish beautifully into the corner.
Errors would be the downfall of the night’s hosts, too, though, as Jamie Grimes sold his goalkeeper with a short pass which was latched onto by substitute Josh Sonni-Lambie, who calmly squared for Gordon to convert.
KIRKBY, ENGLAND - Saturday, September 13, 2025: Liverpool's Josh Sonni-Lambie during the U18 Premier League match between Liverpool FC Under-18's and Newcastle United FC Under-18's at the Liverpool Academy. Newcastle won 4-3. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
This set up an exciting last 15 minutes, with Liverpool eventually finding an equaliser thanks to a clinical finish from Gordon who was the beneficiary of a loose kick out from Boot.
The match then went to penalties and while Page’s team knew they could no longer progress, they still did the job under pressure to emerge 11-10 victors in the shootout, Gordon scoring twice more before John Fleck struck the underside of the bar to end the night.
For those hardy souls who braved the conditions, they were at least treated to an entertaining finish as both goalkeepers scored from the spot.
There could be no true joy for the night’s victors, though, who exited the competition with two points.
In a strange quirk of the schedule, Liverpool U21s must now wait until January 9 for their next match, against Norwich in Premier League 2.
Liverpool U21s: Mrozek; Ramsay (Kelly 85′), Williams, Lucky, Pinnington, Davidson; Laffey, Pilling, Onanuga (Pitt 71′), Bradshaw (Sonni-Lambie 71′), Gordon
Subs not used: Hall, Miles, Spearing, Airoboma
Next Match: Norwich U21s (A) – PL 2 – January 9, 7pm (GMT)