Ben Trueman of Liverpool U21 celebrates after Joshua Sonni-Lambie scores his team’s third goal (Photo by Ben Roberts Photo/Getty Images)
Ben Trueman, Will Wright and Joe Bradshaw of Liverpool U21 celebrate after Joshua Sonni-Lambie scores their team’s third goal (Photo by Ben Roberts Photo/Getty Images)
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No pyro, no party. But the fireworks that halted this remarkable EFL Trophy encounter were nothing compared to events that happened in time added on due to the disruption.
Having seemed on the brink of a harsh defeat after playing three-quarters of the game with 10 men, goals in the additional period from substitutes Ben Trueman and Josh Sonni-Lambie earned Liverpool a 3-3 draw to send the game to penalties where a Harvey Davies save from Rochdale counterpart Sam Waller earned a 7-6 shoot-out triumph in their Group B opener.
It was only Liverpool's fourth win in 23 games in the competition, three of which have now come from penalties to secure a bonus point.
If the Reds youngsters showed heart, spirit and determination to give themselves a chance of that late salvation, the real quality came from another outstanding performance by Will Wright.
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Leading the line, the 18-year-old served note of his intentions with one run that set up a chance for Joe Bradshaw before another ended with his shot being saved by home goalkeeper Sam Waller.
There was, though, no stopping Wright three minutes before the break. Found by Luke Chambers down the left, the striker forced his way into the area and, after the opening appeared lost up against one defender, simply regained possession and skilfully forced his way into a shooting space before thumping into the far corner to draw Liverpool level at 1-1.
That's now six goals in as many games this season - he scored a fine double in the 5-1 Premier League 2 thumping of Brighton at the weekend - and only a good Waller save prevented another before the break.
Wright's brief experience in the Salford City first team before moving to Liverpool last summer gave him a taste of the physicality of the senior game and held him in good stead here. That he slotted his spot kick in the shoot-out capped a hugely encouraging night for the young forward.
Ndiaye learns lesson
Mor Talla Ndiaye has already gained a habit of creating headlines during his short time at Liverpool since arriving in January. Here, though, came an attention-grabbing contribution he would rather have avoided.
Having in recent months starred for the first team during pre-season, ended up in goal for the U21s at Goodison and been on target for the U19s against Atletico Madrid, here Ndiaye was dismissed after 21 minutes when fractionally late on reaching an undercooked Michael Laffey pass on the edge of the area and instead upending Rochdale striker Emmanuel Dieseruvwe.
Ndiaye had done well up until that point, but this was a harsh introduction to the cut-throat nature of competitive senior football.
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With the 18-year-old departed, Prince Cisse switched from right-back to centre-back and delivered a solid performance alongside defensive leader Wellity Lucky.
And the entire team worked impressively as a unit for the most part against a League Two Rochdale team whose willingness to pass their way around rather than overly rely on their age and physical advantage gave Liverpool's youngsters greater scope to express themselves.
McConnell makes mark
This time last week, James McConnell was making his first senior start for Liverpool in more than 18 months in front of almost 60,000 when helping Andoni Iraola's side beat Tottenham Hotspur in the Carabao Cup.
But the less glamorous surrounds of the Crown Oil Arena in front of 946 paying fans gave McConnell his latest opportunity to demonstrate he merits further first-team opportunities.
The 22-year-old had last featured in this competition almost three years ago, and didn't take long to begin imposing himself with a succession of strong presses and one particularly robust sliding challenge before being placed shortly after the hour.
With few international call-ups, this was a strong Liverpool line-up with Jayden Danns and Chambers, on the bench for Andoni Iraola in recent weeks, both starting.
Danns began in the number 10 position, although his role became more fluid after Liverpool went a man down. Chambers, meanwhile, lent his experience to the defence and began to make inroads going forward later in the game.
Liverpool, who stand second in the group table behind leaders Huddersfield Town, are next in EFL Trophy on Tuesday, October 6 at Doncaster Rovers.
LIVERPOOL U21s (4-2-3-1): Davies; Cisse, Ndiaye, Lucky, Chambers; Laffey (Sonni-Lambie 82), McConnell (Onanuga 63); O'Connor, Danns (Trueman 82), Bradshaw; Wright. Subs: Hall, P Farkas, Ayman, Cowley. SENDING-OFF: Ndiaye.
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