Liverpool U21s to face former manager as EFL Trophy draw made
Liverpool U21s have learned their opponents for the EFL trophy with the draw pitting the side against a familiar face.
Neil Critchley coached in the Liverpool setup for seven years before his appointment as Blackpool manager in 2020.
He left the role to become Aston Villa assistant manager two years later but departed that position following the dismissal of Steven Gerrard.
After a year-long stint as QPR manager, he returned to Blackpool in 2023 after the club were relegated to League One.
Liverpool U21s have been drawn in Group E of the Northern Section of the Bristol Street Motors trophy alongside Blackpool, as well as Crewe Alexandra and Harrogate Town.
Liverpool U21s aim to be first academy side to win EFL trophy
No U21s side has won the EFL trophy since they were first allowed to participate in the competition in 2016.
The group fixtures will commence in September and the Reds have been drawn against esteemed opposition.
Liverpool have been drawn alongside two time winners Blackpool and 2013 winner Crewe Alexandra. Barry Lewtas’ side have competed in the tournament since the 2019-20 season.
The draw brings another reunion with former Liverpool coach Critchley. He famously took charge of the Reds in the 5-0 defeat against Aston Villa in the League Cup in 2019.
Jurgen Klopp and the senior players were in Qatar for the FIFA Club World Cup, leaving Critchley to step in with some younger players.
His Blackpool side beat the Reds 5-2 in the competition last season at Bloomfield Road in October.
Liverpool reached the knockout stages for the time last season but were handed a 4-0 defeat by Bradford.
Lewtas will have a plethora of players to choose from this season with first-team experience.
Bobby Clark, for example, gained a lot of first-team minutes for the Reds last season. As did James McConnell, Jayden Danns, Lewis Koumas and Trey Nyoni.
The EFL trophy offers the youngsters a chance of silverware and Lewtas will be counting on his players to go as far as they can in the competition.
In other Liverpool news, Ben Doak is one of three Reds youngsters aiming to impress Arne Slot this pre-season.
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