Liverpool and perhaps Anfield in particular are preparing for a huge clash on Sunday as public enemy number one Manchester City come to town and face the wrath of wronged supporters for the first of what’s likely to be many occasions in the coming weeks. 

Before that, however, the Under 21s were back in action in the EFL Trophy at Doncaster Rovers as Rob Page’s side looked to build on an impressive opening night performance at Rochdale that saw the young Reds leave with two points following a remarkable comeback 3-3 draw and 7-6 penalty shootout success. 

The hosts, sat 21st in League One and managed by Grant McCann, named a strong side as they went in search of a rare win, having not played at the weekend and with a much-needed confidence boost in mind.

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When the action got underway, it was an even contest, with Oli O’Connor perhaps the standout at right-back and Will Wright coming closest for Page’s side, hitting the bar from 40 yards out with an audacious lob attempt after spotting the goalkeeper off his line. 

However, Doncaster finished the half the stronger and were rewarded for their superiority late on when Tommi O’Reilly finally found the back of the net from the third rebound after Harvey Davies made a superb save. 

Half-time soon followed, and the Reds were behind, albeit with plenty to be encouraged by having once again competed blow for blow more or less with their more senior opponents.

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Liverpool gave more than a good account of themselves in the second half and could have levelled on nuerous occasions as Wright came close to finding the net three times as Page’s side pushed hard for parity. 

Both teams made multiple changes as the half wore on, but it was the visitors who maintained their dominance and could count themselves unfortunate not to get at least a point from their night’s endeavours. 

A display full of heart and quality beyond their years for a Liverpool side that was missing the likes of Jayden Danns and Mor Talla Ndiaye. 

Speaking after the match, Page was pleased with his side’s performance…

Reflection of the game: “Frustrated. I don’t think we deserve to lose the game. Disappointed in the goal, in the manner in which we conceded it, and the timing of it. I think it shows a little bit of naivety on our part. So we’re disappointed with that, and then their keeper’s made two world-class saves. We’ve created chance after chance. Second half, the change of shape definitely helped us, and I thought we were a constant threat in the second half.”

On Will Wright in the first half: “That’s the place he’s in at the minute. He’s full of confidence. To even consider taking on that opportunity is something. So, yes, but it was moments like that. They were the only things we had in the game in the first half. We didn’t really create that many chances. By changing the shape defensively as well, in turn it gave us that extra body in the middle of the park to match their formation. So I thought we were a much better team in the second half. And then we created more chances. But that final decision again in the last third, that final action, let us down a little bit.” 

On the competition: “Look, we’re up against a League One outfit. All right, not an incredible start to the season so far, but knowing the manager they have and the experience he’s got, he will definitely turn it around and get them playing well this season. We’ve seen tonight that they are capable of playing, but we’ve just gone up against a League One outfit and we’re disappointed we haven’t won again. You look at some of the other scorelines tonight, it would suggest something different. But for our lads, I think they’ve given a good account of themselves, certainly in the second half. They had a number of experienced players.  This is real football. That was real football tonight. That’s what they’re going to face if they go into league football. That’s what they’re going to face week in, week out. So it’s so beneficial for many reasons. But that in particular, up against that big centre-forward today, that’s the physicality they’re going to need to cope with week in, week out, two games a week. So it’s a great, great test for them.”

On Oli O’Connor: “Utility player, to say the least. But no, he’s given another solid performance, Oli. I thought the two boys from the first team, Chambo and Maka, I thought were excellent. Again, in the second half, I thought Chambo’s passing into Maccaa in the pockets was excellent, and we took more control of the game because of that.”

On training in the international break: “Yeah, so there’s been a group training with the first team. Some of the lads that have been left behind, the boss has had them in training. They’ve worked hard. Our U21s lads last week went over for four consecutive days with them. So as much as there’s been an international window, the lads that haven’t been away, they’ve had a little bit of downtime, but in the main, they’ve been in working. So it’s been a really productive week. And certainly for the U21s lads who’ve been over there training with them, seeing the difference in the intensity, it’s been a really beneficial couple of weeks for us.”

On Jayden Danns: “He pulled out of training last week, was it? Or just felt something, wasn’t quite comfortable. So we’re not going to take any chances. There’s no need at all. He’s right, he’s trained. He’s been training, but we didn’t think it was a risk that we wanted to take. So he’s fit, he’s training, and we thought it was better for him to have two training days than to come and have half an hour, 45 minutes in this game.”

On using more senior players: “We’re dictated to by the first team. Who’s available, who needs minutes. Understandably, the gaffer wants to protect the first-team squad. And if there are any other lads who are on the fringes but need minutes, then Maka and Jadon fall into that category. And it was a great opportunity for them in both games that we’ve played against League One.”