Liverpool v Blackpool: Live updates from FA Lancashire Senior Cup semi-final tie
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Liverpool U23s v Blackpool - live updates
Key Events
- FT: Liverpool U23s 4-1 Blackpool
- Seasiders take on Reds in semi-final of FA Lancashire Senior Cup
- Number of fringe players in line to gain some vital minutes
How to watch the game
Today’s game is open for supporters to attend.
The venue for the tie is the LFC Academy, The Liverpool Way, L33 7ED. Spectators will be permitted access via the Academy Gatehouse from 1.30pm.
The game is also being shown live on Liverpool’s own channel LFCTV, or via live stream on LFCTV GO.
Neil Critchley’s pre-match comments
“The group will be in on Sunday and some of the players will play on Monday and that’s important,” Critchley told The Gazette after Saturday’s draw against Blackburn Rovers.
“We’ve got six games to go and we want to have a right good go to be who we are until the end of the season.
“Everyone is going to be needed. We’ve got a competitive squad, a strong squad when you look at the players coming off the bench on Saturday so those other players need to be ready.”
Match preview
Today’s game takes place at Liverpool’s Academy training ground, with the tie kicking off at 2pm.
The winner of the last-four encounter will face either Accrington Stanley or Burnley in the final, which takes place at 7pm tonight.
Neil Critchley will use this afternoon’s fixture to hand vital minutes to a number of players, most notably Matty Virtue.
The midfielder, who has only just returned from a 13-month lay-off, was absent from Blackpool’s squad on Saturday for the 1-1 draw against Blackburn Rovers.
That’s despite him being widely expected to feature having come off the bench in the previous game, the derby defeat to Preston North End.
Speaking after the weekend’s fixture at Ewood Park, Critchley confirmed Virtue was being held back for today’s cup tie to ensure he got more minutes under his belt.
The likes of Stuart Moore, Reece James, Ethan Robson, Owen Dale and Jake Beesley could also feature.
Liverpool, meanwhile, will name a youthful side as their first team take on Benfica in the Champions League quarter-final on Wednesday night, having also played title rivals Manchester City yesterday.
Blackpool sealed their place in the last four of the FA Lancashire Senior Cup with a 2-0 win against Everton back in November.
Good afternoon
And welcome to a special live blog.
Blackpool FC writer Matt Scrafton will be at Liverpool’s Academy training ground today to watch the Seasiders in FA Lancashire Senior Cup semi-final action.
The game kicks off at 2pm.
Follow the blog for build-up, team news and live match updates.