Ian Doyle with the talking points from Liverpool Under-21s and their EFL Trophy clash at Doncaster Rovers on Tuesday evening
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 09: Andoni Iraola, head coach of Liverpool interacts with Luke Chambers of Liverpool during the UEFA Champions League 2026/27 League Phase MD1 match between Liverpool FC and Atletico de Madrid at Anfield on September 09, 2026 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Molly Darlington/Getty Images)
Andoni Iraola with Luke Chambers after Liverpool's Champions League win over Atletico Madrid earlier this season (Image: Molly Darlington/Getty Images)
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It was so very nearly another for the already impressive scrapbook of young Liverpool striker Will Wright. The 19-year-old striker hadn't been given much of a sniff of goal during the first half when he was invited to race Doncaster centre-back Neill Byrne for a long punt towards the touchline.
Wright showed strength to win that battle and then awareness to pick up the loose ball and instantly float an audacious chip from 35 yards that left home goalkeeper Josh Clarke stranded but struck the underside of the crossbar.
While not quite a repeat of his superb solo goal at Rochdale a fortnight ago, the incident proved a turning point in the game for Wright, who until then had been given a tough examination by wily 33-year-old centre-back Byrne, who could boast more than 500 appearances in his career.
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The teenager had a shot saved by Doncaster goalkeeper Josh Clarke and then curled one effort narrowly wide of the far post after drifting in off the left flank.
There were a few other near moments as the visitors dominated the second half. Both Wright and Liverpool deserved more from the evening.
Chambers stands out
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This has been something of an unusual season thus far for Luke Chambers. Having featured during the early stages of the Andoni Iraola era in pre-season, the expectation was the 22-year-old would have another temporary spell learning his craft after a decent loan in the Championship with Charlton Athletic during the second half of last season.
For whatever reason, it didn't transpire, Chambers instead gaining minutes in this competition and Premier League 2 while making the first-team bench against Atletico Madrid in the Champions League and Tottenham Hotspur in the League Cup.
While predominantly a left-back, Chambers was used by Iraola at centre-back during the summer and, with Mor Talla Ndiaye suspended, here lined up in the heart of defence alongside Wellity Lucky.
Chambers was hugely impressive, his experience from several spells in senior football was evident among a youthful Liverpool line-up in which Alvin Ayman was making his first outing in the competition at left-back and Josh Sonni-Lambie his first start.
Liverpool have now dropped to third in the Group B standings and must now gain a positive result at group leaders Huddersfield on Tuesday, November 10 to remain in the competition.
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CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - AUGUST 2: Liverpool FC Head Coach Andoni Iraola concentrates after the pre-season friendly match between Liverpool FC and Leeds United at Soldier Field on August 2, 2026 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Miller/ISI Photos/ISI Photos via Getty Images)
Liverpool's new head coach Andoni Iraola, pictured on the club's tour of the US(Michael Miller/ISI Photos/ISI Photos via Getty Images)
Oliver wants more
There has become something of a running joke among regular observers of Liverpool Academy's team regarding where the versatile Oliver O'Connor may find himself playing.
Here the 18-year-old - who signed his first professional contract with Liverpool in the summer - began at right-back with his customary energetic approach allowing him to augment the attack whenever possible.
O'Connor's forward leanings meant he was occasionally overly-ambitious with attempts to play his way out of trouble, and his strong tracking back couldn't atone for every positional misunderstanding.
But this competition is exactly for such lessons to be learned, and O'Connor's sheer appetite for hard work will serve him in good stead as he continues his career.
Typically, come the end of the game he had featured for spells in central midfield, left-back and on the left wing. He rarely lets Liverpool down regardless of position.
LIVERPOOL (4-1-4-1): Davies; O'Connor, Lucky, Chambers, Ayman; Upton (Trueman 69); Sonni-Lambie (Cisse 62), Laffey (Farkas 85), McConnell (Onanuga 85), Bradshaw; W Wright. Subs: M Wright, Spearing, Cowley. BOOKING: McConnell, Onanuga.
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