Match report

Crewe Stuns Liverpool U21 2-0 in EFL Trophy

Crewe
Crewe
2–0
FT
Liverpool U21
Liverpool U21
Oct 14, 2025

Crewe pulled off a stunning upset in the EFL Trophy, defeating Liverpool U21 with a 2-0 victory. E. Tezgel scored a penalty in the 11th minute, and D. Rankine added a second goal in the 30th minute, securing the win for Crewe. Liverpool struggled with early yellow cards for M. Laffey and F. Mrozek, which disrupted their rhythm.

Key Facts

  • • Final Score: Crewe 2-0 Liverpool U21
  • • E. Tezgel scored a penalty in the 11th minute
  • • D. Rankine scored the second goal in the 30th minute
  • • Assist for D. Rankine's goal was provided by E. Tezgel
  • • Liverpool U21 received two early yellow cards: M. Laffey (8th minute) and F. Mrozek (10th minute)

Lineups

Crewe

Formation: 4-4-2

Starting XI

  • 13 S. Waller
  • 30 S. Dancey
  • 22 P. Croker
  • 18 J. Connolly (D)
  • 14 C. Finney (D)
  • 15 D. Rankine (M)
  • 19 O. Lunt (M)
  • 34 O. Armstrong
  • 32 L. Moore (M)
  • 31 L. Moult (F)
  • 36 E. Tezgel (F)

Substitutes

  • 1 T. Booth
  • 16 J. Golding
  • 27 J. Hodkin
  • 33 I. Scott
  • 35 R. Chadwick
  • 37 A. Jones-Mellor
  • 38 L. Swann

Liverpool U21

Formation: 4-2-3-1

Starting XI

  • 93 F. Mrozek (G)
  • 47 C. Ramsay (D)
  • 92 W. Lucky (D)
  • 46 R. Williams (D)
  • 88 L. Pitt
  • 94 M. Laffey (M)
  • 71 J. Spearing (M)
  • 49 K. Gordon (M)
  • 70 T. Pilling (M)
  • 51 T. K. Doherty (M)
  • 82 J. Lambie (F)

Substitutes

  • 74 K. Misciur
  • 69 J. Davidson
  • 65 A. Nallo
  • 57 C. Pinnington
  • 62 J. Bradshaw
  • 99 F. Onanuga
  • 91 B. Trueman

Timeline

  1. Liverpool U21
    8' Liverpool U21 Card · Yellow Card
    M. Laffey

    Foul

  2. Liverpool U21
    10' Liverpool U21 Card · Yellow Card
    F. Mrozek

    Foul

  3. Crewe
    11' Crewe Goal · Penalty
    E. Tezgel
  4. Crewe
    30' Crewe Goal · Normal Goal
    D. Rankine · Assist: E. Tezgel
  5. Liverpool U21
    46' Liverpool U21 subst · Substitution 1
    Off: J. Spearing · On: B. Trueman
  6. Crewe
    56' Crewe subst · Substitution 2
    Off: James Connolly · On: J. Golding
  7. Crewe
    56' Crewe subst · Substitution 3
    Off: C. Finney · On: I. Scott
  8. Crewe
    56' Crewe subst · Substitution 4
    Off: Owen Lunt · On: R. Chadwick
  9. Crewe
    56' Crewe subst · Substitution 5
    Off: L. Moult · On: L. Swann
  10. Crewe
    59' Crewe Card · Yellow Card
    Luca Moore

    Foul

  11. Liverpool U21
    62' Liverpool U21 subst · Substitution 2
    Off: J. Lambie · On: J. Bradshaw
  12. Liverpool U21
    63' Liverpool U21 subst · Substitution 3
    Off: Rhys Williams · On: A. Nallo
  13. Liverpool U21
    63' Liverpool U21 subst · Substitution 4
    Off: M. Laffey · On: F. Onanuga
  14. Crewe
    76' Crewe Card · Yellow Card
    I. Scott

    Foul

  15. Crewe
    89' Crewe Card · Yellow Card
    J. Hodkin

    Foul

Match Stats

Stat Crewe Liverpool U21
Fouls 17 7
Pass Accuracy 75% 89%
Offsides 4 1
Red Cards — —
Total Shots 9 16
Corners 3 4
Total Passes 284 661
Yellow Cards 3 2
Blocked Shots 2 4
Shots on Target 3 4
xG — —
Shots off Target 4 8
Possession 30% 70%
Goals Prevented — —
Accurate Passes 213 590
Shots Inside Box 8 9
Saves 4 1
Shots Outside Box 1 7

Key Match Notes

  • ▸ Crewe's early penalty goal by E. Tezgel in the 11th minute set the tone for the match and gave them a psychological advantage over Liverpool U21
  • ▸ D. Rankine's goal in the 30th minute cemented Crewe's lead, which proved crucial in securing the victory over the younger Liverpool squad