Liverpool Under-21s player ratings as Paul Glatzel, Mateusz Musialowski and one other excellent vs Blackpool

An inspired performance from Mateusz Musialowski was not enough to stop Liverpool coming out on the wrong side of a seven-goal thriller against Blackpool in the Football League Trophy.

The Poland Under-21s international, who saw a transfer away from Anfield collapse this summer, registered a goal and assist at Bloomfield Road, only for a second-half hat-trick from substitute Kylian Kouassi to consign the young Reds to a 5-2 defeat.

Barry Lewtas named a much-changed side from the team that had claimed an historic 3-0 victory over Morecambe in Liverpool’s first group game, with injuries and international call-ups ultimately forcing his hand.

But that didn’t stop his side, which featured three 16-year-olds and a 17-year-old in the starting XI, from putting in a spirited performance right until the final whistle.

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Liverpool took the lead through Paul Glatzel following good work from Musialowski, with the forward winning possession and threading through an inch-perfect through ball. And they looked set to be ahead at the break, only for Blackpool to cruelly equalise on the stroke of half-time.

Goalkeeper Fabian Mrozek had been unbeatable for most of the first half, pulling off a number of sensational saves, but he could do nothing to keep out Albie Morgan’s curling free-kick in stoppage-time after conceding the set-piece himself for a trip outside the box.

Blackpool introduced Kouassi at the interval as his arrival ultimately turned the game. Sprinting through on goal, he fired the Tangerines ahead within seconds of the restart after holding off challenges from Josh Davidson