Rochdale vs Liverpool U21 Match Analysis and Prediction

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Rochdale will take on Liverpool U21 in the EFL Trophy on Tuesday, with both teams looking to record their first win in this season’s competition.

While the visitors suffered a 2-1 defeat away to Salford City, the hosts were beaten on penalties by Acrrington Stanley.

Having drawn 3-3 after normal time, Rochdale salvaged a point from their trip to Accrington in their opening game in the EFL Trophy, but missed out on a bonus point after losing 4-3 on penalties.

Jim Bentley, who was born in Liverpool, was in charge of his first match since leaving AFC Flyde for Rochdale, and he has failed to lift them off the bottom of League Two since then, having only picked up one point from three matches.

He will hope to record a positive result against Liverpool on Tuesday ahead of a crucial trip to Colchester Town at the weekend, with only a win in East Anglia enough to provide themselves with a chance of moving off the bottom of the table.

Meanwhile, Liverpool U21 were on the wrong side of a 2-1 defeat at the hands of Salford, with the hosts claiming victory at Moor Lane.

Kevin Berkoe and Jack Jenkins scored either side of half-time, with Layton Rhys Stewart’s late strike proving to be only a consolation goal for the Reds.

With the majority of the senior squad jetting off with their countries for an international break, Jurgen Klopp could pay more interest in this game than usual, potentially providing even more the youngstars to play for.

Having picked up just one point across 10 matches in this competition over the past three seasons, the Reds need all the motivation they can get if they are to avoid another defeat, and they will draw confidence from their away victory over Leicester City U21 last time out.

Rochdale vs Liverpool U21 head to head

These two teams have previously met on just one occasion in the EFL Trophy back in August 2021, where Rochdale claimed a 4-0 home victory.

Rochdale 4-0 Liverpool U21 31/08/21

Rochdale latest home form

Rochdale have recently failed to keep a good run of form at home, having won just one of their seven most recent matches. They lost 1-0 to Leyton Orient in their last home game in the league. In their last five matches, they have scored four goals and conceded five.

Rochdale 1-2 Crewe Alexandra 30/07/22

Rochdale 2-0 Burton Albion 09/08/22

Rochdale 0-1 Grimsby Town 13/08/22

Rochdale 1-1 Crawley Town 27/08/22

Rochdale 0-1 Leyton Orient 13/09/22

Rochdale latest away form

Rochdale have recently failed to keep a good run of form on the road, having been winless in their seven most recent matches. They lost 3-0 to Northampton Town in their last away game in the league. In their last five matches, they have scored six goals and conceded 15.

Swindon Town 3-0 Rochdale 20/08/22

Sheffield Wednesday 3-0 Rochdale 23/08/22

Accrington Stanley (P)3-3 Rochdale 30/08/22

Carlisle United 3-3 Rochdale 03/09/22

Northampton Town 3-0 Rochdale 17/09/22

Liverpool U21 latest home form

Liverpool have recently failed to keep a good run of form at home, having won just two of their seven most recent matches. They drew 2-2 with Manchester United U21 in their last home game in the league. In their last five matches, they have scored five goals and conceded 11.

Liverpool U21 0-5 Southampton U21 20/03/16

Liverpool U21 2-1 Norwich City U21 25/04/16

Liverpool U21 0-3 Manchester City U21 07/08/22

Liverpool U21 1-0 Blackburn Rovers U21 20/08/22

Liverpool U21 2-2 Manchester United U21 03/09/22

Liverpool U21 latest away form

Liverpool have recently failed to keep a good run of form on the road, having won just one of their 15 most recent matches. They defeated Leicester City U21 1-0 in their last away game in the league. In their last five matches, they have scored six goals and conceded 11.

Port Vale 5-0 Liverpool U21 09/11/21

Brighton U21 1-1 Liverpool U21 14/08/22

Tottenham Hotspur U21 3-3 Liverpool U21 26/08/22

Salford City 2-1 Liverpool U21 30/08/22

Leicester City U21 0-1 Liverpool U21 17/09/22

Rochdale news

Rochdale will have to make do without the services of Ethan Ebanks-Landell as he serves suspension due to accumulation of bookable offenses.

Bentley may make several changes for this contest, with Rayhaan Tulloch and Femi Seriki two of Rochdale’s younger players likely to receive a chance in the starting lineup on Tuesday.

Liverpool U21 news

Liverpool U21 could include Nat Phillips and Arthur in the starting lineup, with both of them being short of match fitness.

It is likely to be a fresh-faced side as only two players over the age of 21 are allowed to feature for academy teams in this competition, with Stefan Bajecetic expected to be involved.

Prediction and Odds

Liverpool U21 have struggled in this competition in recent years, and we think that their losing run could extend on Tuesday.

However, Rochdale are currently not in good form whatsoever, but it could act as the motivation to avoid a disappointing defeat against an academy club who are struggling for form.

Odds: 1 2.22 X 2.05 2 2.30