A pivotal moment for Mateusz Musialowski is reached by a Liverpool winger.

Analysis of Liverpool following Tuesday night’s 2-1 loss against the U21s in law last EFL Trophy group match at Barrow

This was a very important evening for Kaide Gordon even before a ball was kicked at the SO Legal Stadium.

After making his Liverpool debut as a 16-year-old in the 2021–2022 season, when the team defeated Shrewsbury Town 3–0 in the FA Cup third round and defeated Arsenal 2–0 in the League Cup semi-final second leg, the youth has had a terrible time.

Gordon had been absent since February 2022 due to a pelvic issue related to his growth. He finally returned in September, but not before injuring his ankle during his first substitute appearance, which kept him out for several more weeks.

However, a week ago, the teenager was used as a substitute in Premier League 2 against Leeds United. In this final EFL Trophy group game against Barrow, he was given his first start since his comeback.

Gordon, who turned 19 this month, received further support when he was selected captain of a team that also featured 34-year-old midfielder Jay Spearing, who was by far the best player on the night before the two were substituted just before the hour.

Although the wide player received only patchy play on a dismal Cumbria night, Gordon showed some nice touches and didn’t back down from a physical challenge, even after being caught by a strong tackle from Sean Etaluku in the second half. However, his 59-minute run-out was unsurprisingly quite rusty. The fact that Gordon was back on the field is the biggest win for Liverpool and Gordon.

Despite only turning 20 last month, Mateusz Musialowski feels like he has been a member of Liverpool’s Academy for a very long time.

It may be argued that the four seasons the incredibly gifted but inconsistent Pole spent playing for the Reds’ smaller age groups are too lengthy given that he should by now be regularly testing himself at the senior level.

The EFL Trophy this season does, in fact, imply that Musialowski might be prepared to make that move. Following his goals in the historic 3-0 victory over Morecambe and the 5-2 loss at Blackpool, he scored the first goal once more. What a goal it was, too: a one-two with Melkamu Frauendorf, followed by a 25-yard blast into the upper corner. Josh Lillis, the goalie for Barrow, did not even move.

This season, Musialowski has sometimes played as a lone striker. With his confidence boosted,

If Blackpool defeats Morecambe the next week, Liverpool will still be in the competition and Musialowski may have the chance to score in an EFL Trophy game for the fourth time in a row. However, it’s unlikely that there will be many more after that, no matter where he works next term.

Thus, Trey Nyoni’s meteoric rise continues. Arriving from Leicester City in the summer, this was his first appearance in the EFL Trophy. On Saturday, he started for the U21s for the first time in their crushing of West Ham United at home.

In the midst of an occasionally dull midfield struggle, Nyoni more than held his own and showed he is already an experienced player by receiving a booking for time-wasting.

The midfielder was one of three 16-year-olds in the starting lineup; at center-back, Carter Pinnington and Amara Nallo, another summer addition, were paired with the midfielder against the Hammers.

With strong performances, both players belied their young age; Pinnington stood out for his calm performance, which included good distribution and aerial skill. After the pair was defeated, goalie Marcelo Pitaluga was once more playing brilliantly until Barrow stole the win in the last quarter.