The Liverpool future starlets found it difficult to over come a poor Blackburn Rover side, in a lacklustre performance that saw Alex Inglethorpe's under 21 side drop 2 crucial points in his sides title run in.
Liverpool were aided by the return of Ryan McCaughlin to defence, after Barnsley kindly made the Northern Ireland right back available, in his quest to regain fitness and finish out the season with Barnsley. The return of Paez also added a more youthful look to the side, following his absence from the team last, to fit first teamer, Sakho in. Lloyd Jones partnered Paez, 2 days after his heroic performance in a thrilling 4-4, youth tie, which saw the reds miss out on the semi-finals on penalties, following a 120 minute endeavour. Rossiter dropped out of the team following his long shift on Wednesday night, while Liverpool started with Chirivella, Lussey and Tricket-Smith in midfield, while the front 3 consisted of Peterson and Bijev on either flank supporting the young scouser, Dunn, up top.
The game began in a frantic manner, with Blackburn having the best chance of the early stages, hitting the crossbar, a big let off for Mersin, in the Liverpool net. Mersin was again put on his toes, making a stunning save, to tip the ball over the bar, following a speculative effort from Rovers. Blackburn's scares continued, this time Paez and Mersin combining to let Rovers snatch another early opportunity, this time Rovers managed to hit the crossbar again.
Liverpool began to get into their rhythm midway through the first half, with Spanish under 17 captain, Chirivella spreading the ball to either flank, and beginning to penetrate to Blackburn back four with some devastating movement from Tricket-Smith.
Unluckily for Liverpool, as they began to play their costless flowing football they are known for, Rovers were awarded a penalty. No one could complain after Rovers initial great start, where Liverpool would've counted their blessing, not to be out of the game already. However, the penalty was cooly dispatched and Rovers went into the half time break a goal to the good.
Liverpool started the second half brightly, with an energetic flow to the game. Rossiter and Branagan entered the fray, switching Tricket-Smith over to the left hand side. Tricket-Smith's versatility is a brilliant trait that the young Geordie possess, although his tag of 'Jack of all trades' may disappoint him. Shifting from either wing, to striker, to anywhere in a midfield 3, the youngster may find himself wanting to nail down a certain position, to progress enough, to see him land himself a spot in Brendan Rodger's first team plans, following various times being called up to train with the likes of Suarez and Gerrard.
Alex Inglethorpe's men finally got their equaliser, after a great move down the left hand side, which saw the left back, Brad Smith, find him self in yet another attacking position, and his cross was knocked in by a Rover's defender to see the score go level.
The gamer petered out, while Ryan Mccaughlin was taken off after 70 minutes, and now will return to Barnsley after proving his fitness levels. With both sides initial intensities dying down, the energetic chaos that was once involved in this game was now, abruptly, gone. There was time left for one last piece of drama, when Rossiter slotted his shot past the Rovers keeper, only to be ruled offside in the 91st minute.