Liverpool under-21s head coach Rob Page has spoken after the EFL Trophy defeat at Doncaster Rovers on Tuesday evening
Jayden Danns in action for Liverpool under-21s
Jayden Danns in action for Liverpool under-21s(Image: Ben Roberts Photo/Getty Images)
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Another evening, another defeat for Liverpool in the EFL Trophy. But while the Reds have still only ever won one game in the competition in regulation time, their latest setback was significantly different to most.
Having conceded on the stroke of half-time against League One strugglers Doncaster Rovers on Tuesday evening, Rob Page's under-21 side laid siege on the home goal throughout the second half only to fall short either through some inspired saves from Rovers goalkeeper Josh Clarke or a succession of wrong decisions with the final ball.
It meant frustration was the overriding emotion for Page having seen his team, following a half-time tactical tweak, unable to build on the penalty shoot-out triumph at Rochdale a fortnight earlier.
"I don't think we deserved to lose the game," said the head coach. "I'm disappointed with the manner in which we conceded the goal and the timing of it, which was a little bit naive on our part.
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"Their keeper has made two world-class saves and in the second half we have created chance after chance.
"The change of shape definitely helped us and I thought we were a constant threat in the second half. Changing the defence to give us an extra body in midfield made us much the better team.
"The two boys from the first team - Chambo (Luke Chambers) and Macca (James McConnell) - were excellent second half."
The nearest Liverpool came to scoring was during the first half when Will Wright won possession 35 yards out near the touchline and then attempted an audacious lob that beat Clarke but struck the underside of the crossbar before bouncing clear.
"That's the place he is in at the moment," said Page. "He is full of confidence and to even consider taking on that opportunity is something."
Wright led the line alone with Jayden Danns, who had featured alongside the 18-year-old at Rochdale two weeks ago, having been absent as a precaution.
"He pulled up in training last week and felt something and wasn't quite comfortable," said Page. "So we're not going to take any chances, there's no need at all.
"He is all right, he has been training but we didn't think it was a risk we wanted to take. He's fit, and we thought it was better for him to have two training days rather than half-an-hour or 45 minutes in this game."
The defeat means Liverpool must win at Group B leaders Huddersfield - who thrashed Rochdale 5-0 on Tuesday - when they meet next month to have a chance of progressing to the knockout stages.
Doncaster, who have won just once in the league this season under Grant McCann, fielded a reasonably strong side that included veteran centre-back Neill Byrne and experienced striker Brandon Hanlan.
And Page said: "This is the level our players want to get to. That was real football, that's what they will face week in, week out in league football.
"This competition is so beneficial for many reasons, but that one in particular. That's the physicality you are going to need to cope with twice a week.
"We were up against a League One team who haven't had an incredible start to the season so far, but knowing their manager as I do, he has a lot of experience and he'll definitely turn it round.
"So for our lads to be disappointed to lose to a League One team, it shows they have given a good account of themselves."
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