Penalty joy for Reds in Youth Cup thriller

The Reds led twice in normal time, with Jordon Ibe grabbing both their goals; however, the home side were relentless as they fought back to extend the game beyond 90 minutes.

In extra-time, substitute Dominic Telford lobbed Ryan Crump with a sensational strike from all of 35 yards, while Sheyi Ojo hit back for Neil Critchley's men to make it 3-3.

In the shoot-out, Crump was the hero, guessing right to make two fantastic saves and clinch a 4-3 win, which now means Liverpool face Aston Villa at Anfield in the next round.

Critchley made wholesale changes to the side that was ambushed by Manchester City in the dramatic 3-2 defeat at Platt Lane on Saturday.

Ibe, who has started on the bench for the first team on seven occasions this season, was introduced to the side and the 18-year-old was a threat from the start.

On 16 minutes he powered along the by-line and tried to slot the ball under the goalkeeper at the near post, but Connor Hunt was down quickly to deny him. Ibe then supplied Jordan Rossiter and Jerome Sinclair in quick succession but to no avail.

So the winger took matters into his own hands to break the deadlock with a sensational solo goal. He won back possession near the halfway line, powered forward before rounding Hunt and keeping his composure to steer the ball home.

But Blackpool levelled immediately with another stunning strike. Connor Ready picked up play 30 yards from goal, took two touches to get the ball out from under his feet and arced a thunderous, looping shot over Crump and into the top corner of his net.

Ibe went close to grabbing a second when he checked back inside onto his left foot and rifled low; however, Hunt flung himself to the floor and fumbled the ball onto the post.

Blackpool could have edged ahead when Henry Cameron sped clear of the Reds' defence, but when he tried to place the ball into the corner, Crump was solid to palm clear.

Then Liverpool restored their lead. Rossiter carved open the Blackpool back-line with a superb pass, which slid from the halfway line to the edge of the penalty area and Ibe was clinical as he slipped the ball beyond the onrushing Hunt.

But Blackpool were undeterred. The Liverpool defence failed to deal with Luke Higham's in-swinging corner and Sam Staunton-Turner battered the ball through a wall of white shirts to level the scores.

Dion Charles had a golden opportunity to make it 3-2 when Crump pushed the ball into his path, but captain Connor Randall did just enough to put him off with the goal gaping.

In extra-time, Telford produced a piece of magic, picking up the play 35 yards from goal, turning and spotting Crump off his line, before floating the ball over the 'keeper to swing the game in Blackpool's favour.

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He might have had another after the interval in extra-time when he rounded Crump and looked to slot the ball home; however, Jordan Williams was there on the line to keep Liverpool in the tie.

The Reds broke down the field and substitute Ojo, with his first touch of the game, scooped possession before letting fly with a vicious strike from range, which flew past Hunt for 3-3.

Penalties beckoned and Lloyd Jones fired Critchley's side ahead before Ready levelled proceedings. Sinclair blazed over the bar; however, Connor Thurston did likewise to keep the scores at 1-1.

Harry Wilson netted, Telford saw his shot saved by Crump and Ojo coolly converted to make it 3-1 to Liverpool. Harrison McGahey kept his calm, but Pedro Chirivella shot over the bar and Staunton-Turner made it 3-3.

Joe Maguire made no mistake in sudden death and Crump denied Joseph Woulden to seal a memorable victory for the young Reds.

Liverpool: Crump, Randall, Maguire, Williams, Jones, Chirivella, Ibe (Wilson), Rossiter, Sinclair, Brannagan (Ojo), Kent (Canos).