Liverpool youngsters thrashed as 10 other Premier League sides exit EFL Trophy

Barry Lewtas’ young Reds were hammered 5-0 by Port Vale on a night to forget as academy sides from Manchester United, Leeds and Newcastle all exited the competition

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Liverpool’s youngsters needed a huge victory in their Papa John’s Trophy tie at Port Vale on Tuesday but instead they were on the end of a brutal hammering.

Barry Lewtas’ development squad made the trip to Vale Park knowing they needed to win by a seven-goal margin to qualify for the next stage of the competition.

But they were simply swatted aside by a ruthless Vale team who ran out 5-0 winners. Darrell Clarke’s men were in rampant form as they took second spot in the group behind Bolton.

Five different players netted for the League Two side who have now hit 12 goals in their last three games.

Liverpool’s team included Kaide Gordon, the 17-year-old who recently made his senior debut for the Reds in the Carabao Cup win over Norwich.

Who will win this year’s EFL Trophy? Let us know in the comments section

The result sealed a night to forget for Premier League sides in this year’s competition. Ever since their addition to the revamped tournament in 2016, it has been a contentious issue for many fans.

Tonight saw the majority of the 16 groups come to a conclusion and amazingly EVERY single Premier League academy team in the Northern section has exited the competition.

All eight – Everton, Leeds, Wolves, Liverpool, Man City, Man United, Leicester and Newcastle – have finished outside the top two spots that guarantees qualification for the last-32 stage.

In the Southern section, four of the eight top-flight sides have made it through: West Ham, Aston Villa, Arsenal and Chelsea. However, Crystal Palace, Southampton and Spurs are out.

Wednesday sees three final group stage games take place that will determine the remaining spots. Chelsea are definitely through regardless of what happens between Bristol Rovers and Exeter; Wigan host Shrewsbury with the winner qualifying whilst Walsall and Forest Green meet, with Brighton’s fate determined by what happens in that game.

The draw for the second round takes place on Saturday, November 13 on Sky Sports , following the completion of the Port Vale vs Bradford City game.

The teams will remain split between North and South. The eight group winners from each region will be drawn against eight runners-up.

Ties to be played the week commencing November 29.

Confirmed teams through to round two

NORTHERN SECTION

Winners

Carlisle

Tranmere

Crewe

Bolton

Rotherham

Sunderland

Accrington

Sheffield Wednesday

Runners-up

Hartlepool

Oldham

Port Vale

Doncaster

Lincoln

Fleetwood

Harrogate Town

SOUTHERN SECTION

Winners

West Ham U21

Sutton

Aston Villa U21

Swindon

Leyton Orient

Cambridge

Runners-up

Ipswich

Portsmouth

MK Dons

Arsenal U21

Charlton

Stevenage