Liverpool's EFL Trophy group stage fixture dates confirmed
Since first doing so in 2019/20, Liverpool have always entered an under-21 side into the EFL Trophy. The competition, most-recently known as the Vertu Trophy, new sponsor to be confirmed, features all 48 clubs from League One and League Two, as well as 16 Category One academy sides, usually representing Premier League sides.
Well, on Wednesday afternoon, Liverpool's fixture dates and kick off times were confirmed for their three matches in Northern Group H.
Liverpool EFL Trophy confirmed fixtures
Tuesday 22 September: Rochdale - Spotland. Kick off 7pm.
Tuesday 6 October: Doncaster Rovers - Club Doncaster Sports Village. Kick off 7pm.
Tuesday 10 November: Huddersfield Town - Kirklees Stadium. Kick off 7pm.
All EFL Trophy matches are available to watch on Sky Sports in the UK & Ireland while, if you want to go along, the opener against Rochdale at the Crown Oil Arena, is only an hour's drive away from Liverpool. It is never easy for the academy teams, playing three away games against senior professionals, but Rob Page's team will be targeting a top two finish and a spot in the knockout stages.
How have Liverpool performed in the EFL Trophy?
2019/20: Eliminated in the group stages - 1 point.
2020/21: Eliminated in the group stages - zero points.
2021/22: Eliminated in the group stages - zero points.
2022/23: Eliminated in the group stages - zero points.
2023/24: Eliminated in the round of 32: beaten 4-0 by Bradford City.
2024/25: Eliminated in the group stages - 3 points.
2025/26: Eliminated in the group stages - 2 points.
Amazingly, across seven seasons, Liverpool have only ever got out of the group stages once. In fact, the Reds have won just one of 21 group stage matches, beating Morecambe 3-0 in 2023. Last season, they were defeated 2-0 by both Burton Albion and Crewe Alexandra, before a penalty shootout win over Chesterfield, following a 2-2 draw, was not enough to avoid finishing bottom. Thus, they'll be hoping for better this time round.
Has an under-21 team ever won the EFL Trophy?
No, and since the introduction of academy teams into the EFL Trophy a decade ago, none are ever made it to the final. To date, only one has even appeared in the semi-finals. Back in Chelsea were denied a place at Wembley after being beaten on penalties by Lincoln City at Sincil Bank.
So, progress through the EFL Trophy will not be easy for Page's side, but they first and foremost need to try and get out of Northern Group H.
