Report: Morecambe 0-3 Liverpool U21s

Three first half goals saw the Shrimps fall to defeat against Liverpool U21s in their opening EFL Trophy group fixture.

Morecambe made a number of changes to their starting line up, with eight new faces coming into the side from the team that started in League Two at Gillingham at the weekend.

The first chance fell to Liverpool on seven minutes when a cross to the back post was met with a shot, but David Tutonda was on hand to block the ball away to safety.

Fellow first time starter Charlie Brown played a neat one-two two minutes later before breaking through on goal, but Marcelo Pitaluga did well to get down and make the save.

Brown again looked to test the visiting keeper with a stinging effort from distance, but Pitaluga managed to turn the ball behind for a corner.

The deadlock was broken on 13 minutes when Mateusz Musialowski struck from inside the Morecambe box, the ball taking a wicked deflection and looping over Adam Smith.

Just before the half-hour mark, the away side doubled their advantage. The Shrimps gave possession away cheaply in the middle of the pitch, and the ball was played across to the left of the Morecambe box where Calum Scanlon had time to control the ball and slot it underneath Smith.

In the 38^th minute it was 3-0. Bobby Clark’s shot took another deflection before bouncing home.

Morecambe made four changes at half time and the second half was much more of an even contest.

Substitute Tom Bloxham then delivered an excellent cross toward Mellon at the back post, but the resulting header was off target.

Just after the hour mark, another half-time sub in JJ McKiernan picked up the ball, drove forward and let fly, the shot flew over the angle of post and bar.

Mellon again came close on 68 minutes with an effort at close range which was deflected behind, before Jake Taylor’s curling effort was turned behind by Pitaluga.

Moments later Mellon blasted an effort against the post from close range.

With minutes of second half normal time to play, James McConnell picked up possession and struck ambitiously from way out, the ball flew harmlessly over Smith’s bar.

Morecambe are still to face Barrow and Blackpool in their other EFL Trophy group fixtures.