Here is your Liverpool FC morning digest for Wednesday, September 21.
Arthur starts as U21s lose at Rochdale
Arthur Melo started and played 63 minutes for the under-21s last night as they fell to a 1-0 EFL Trophy defeat at Rochdale.
An 82nd-minute Tahvon Campbell finish won it for the League Two outfit, with Reds centre-back Oludare Olufunwa sent off two minutes later after a giving away a penalty - which was missed - and receiving a second yellow card.
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Brazilian midfielder Melo - on-loan from Juventus for the season - got an hour under his belt as he continues to get up to speed. He was replaced by under-18s player-coach and former first-teamer Jay Spearing.
Barry Lewtas' side have now lost both of their opening two games in the competition after Salford beat them 2-1 in August - they are bottom of Group D.
Read Ian Doyle's match report here, and take a look at the player ratings here.
Wijnaldum posts 'emotional' message
Former Liverpool midfielder Gini Wijnaldum has admitted he felt ‘emotional and sad’ after suffering a serious leg injury just days after his move to Roma.
The Dutchman joined Jose Mourinho's side on a season-long loan in the summer, but after just a couple of weeks and one substitute appearance suffered a broken tibia in training. Reds fans have been among hundreds of well-wishers for the 31-year-old who, until today, had remained silent.
But now the midfielder has posted a video on his social media, thanking fans from clubs past and present for their support and adding that it ‘gives me power’ during the rehabilitation programme..
Wijnaldum is currently in the Netherlands undergoing physiotherapy while still in cast, according to recent Italian reports, after opting against surgery. He is expected to be out until at least the new year.
See what Wijnaldum had to say here.
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