Rochdale vs Liverpool U21s – final score and highlights as Arthur Melo gets vital minutes

Hello and welcome to our live blog for updates from Liverpool’s trip to Spotland to take on Rochdale in the Papa John’s trophy.

The young Reds will be looking to get back to winning ways after a 2-1 defeat to Salford City in their previous match in the competition.

And they could be with several senior stars, with Arthur Melo and Nat Phillips both in contention to be Liverpool’s two overage players in the squad. Academy graduate Jay Spearing is also an option, having returned to Liverpool in the summer as a player/coach.

Liverpool will be without several of their U21 regulars with striker Oakley Cannonier and defenders Isaac Mabaya, Lee Jonas and Luke Chambers having all been called up for England U19s this week, while midfielder Bobby Clark and forward Ranel Young are in the England U18 set-up and goalkeeper Harvey Davies is with the U20s.

New signing Ben Doak, is in the Scotland U21 squad while midfielder Melkamu Frauendorf is with the Germany U19s. Centre-back Jarell Quansah has been missing for the last week through injury.

However Stefan Bajcetic, Jake Cain, Harvey Blair, Dom Corness, Luca Stephenson and summer signing Oludare Olufunwa are all available for the match.

Action gets underway at 7pm and can be watched for a fee on the home side’s ‘iFollow Dale’ service. But you can follow every kick in our updates right here with Ian Doyle.