U21s reach Premier League Cup quarters
Liverpool U21s booked their place in the quarter-finals of the U21 Premier League Cup with a hard-fought 1-0 win over Leeds United at Prenton Park on Tuesday evening.
Daniel Trickett-Smith provided the only goal of the game at the home of Tranmere Rovers, finishing coolly at the end of a fast breakaway from a corner in the first half.
That one-goal advantage was well defended by a Liverpool back four that featured loanee Steven Caulker, securing a meeting with either Everton or Brighton in the next round for the U21s.
Caulker, who is ineligible for the first team's FA Cup third-round replay against Exeter City tomorrow, made his first start in a Reds shirt for Michael Beale's team.
And the new signing quickly found himself at the heart of the action as he headed Alex O’Hanlon’s free-kick straight into the arms of Leeds ‘keeper Bailey Peacock-Farrell just four minutes in.
The game lacked flow in the early stages, with the visitors enjoying the greater share of possession. However, the Reds went close when Harry Wilson played a wonderful ball through to Brooks Lennon in front of goal, only for the American to be adjudged offside.
Then, Trickett-Smith sent a looping effort just wide of the post, as the hosts grew into the game more and more.
A goalkeeper was tested for the first time in the contest 39 minutes in, when Wilson saw his shot well saved by Peacock-Farrell after Sam Hart’s cross had reached him.
But, when it looked like the sides were set to go in for half-time goalless, the deadlock was broken.
Liverpool counter-attacked from a corner moments after Whelan had almost put through his own net and a wonderful intervention from left-back Hart paved the way for Trickett-Smith to be clean through on goal and ultimately slot home.
With Leeds looking for a route back into the game, the start of the second half was fiercely contested.
Goalscorer Trickett-Smith had his sights set on a second but sent a long-range effort well over the crossbar.
Liverpool were then under pressure, as Ryan Fulton was called into action twice. The custodian did well to stop Lee Erwin’s drilled pass reaching an attacker and was then required to mop up a dangerous floated cross.
The hosts were looking for that important second goal to kill the tie with Wilson and substitute Ovie Ejaria coming close, but the threat of the Yorkshire side levelling remained.
However, the Reds closed the game out professionally to avoid extra time and penalties and seal their progression to the next round.
Liverpool: Fulton, Whelan, Hart, Cleary, Caulker, Virtue, Wilson, O’Hanlon, Lennon, Phillips (Ejaria, 72), Trickett-Smith (Gomes, 84).