Liverpool issue strong competition response as 20-year-old undergoes 'massive change'

Those who have long questioned Liverpool's ongoing participation in the EFL Trophy have been issued a stirring response this season.

The young Reds may have fallen to a 14th defeat in 15 such games at Barrow on Tuesday night, but the nature of the narrow 2-1 reverse underlined why significant strides have been taken in recent months in the competition.

Indeed, that the home team never looked like securing the three-goal winning margin they required to avoid elimination means Liverpool can still progress to the knockout stages for the first time should group leaders Blackpool - managed by former Reds Academy coach Neil Critchley - beat Morecambe next Tuesday.

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That would be deserved reward for Liverpool, who registered their first-ever EFL Trophy win with a 3-0 win at Morecambe back in September before a harsh 5-2 reserve at Blackpool in which the home team capitalised on tiring legs late on.

On Tuesday, Mateusz Musialowski kept up his record of scoring in every game in the competition this season by firing Barry Lewtas's side in front in the first half at the SO Legal Stadium with a superb strike into the top corner from 25 yards.

“I’ve said before that his commitment, not just to his own game but the team, has been a massive change," says Lewtas of the 20-year-old. "Not that he was doing anything particularly wrong, but he’s added more consistency. He’s played more games, he’s that little bit older. The goal was an unbelievable goal, but overall his all-round contribution in games is bigger now, rather than just moments."

Musialowski, who has regularly started in