Preview: Burton Albion vs Liverpool Under-21s - prediction, team news, lineups

Liverpool Under-21s will begin their EFL Trophy campaign on Tuesday against hosts Burton Albion at Pirelli Stadium in group H of the Northern section.

Burton will hope to bounce back from their 3-0 defeat against Luton Town on Saturday in League One, whereas the Merseysiders will be looking for a second consecutive victory following their 2-1 win against Stoke City Under-21s on August 29.

Match preview

The home side produced just two shots on target from inside the penalty area against Luton, and it took them until the 64th minute to register their first attempt on target inside the box from open play.

Burton have now failed to find the back of the net in two consecutive games, and only five of the 24 teams in the third tier have scored fewer times (five).

The Brewers are 18th in League One with four points from five matches, but they have played a game fewer than all of the clubs above them in the table.

Head coach Gary Bowyer's side exited the EFL Trophy at the round of 32 stage when they lost 4-0 against Stevenage on December 10 last season, though they did top their group.

Burton's form is poor given they have been defeated in three consecutive fixtures, and they have also lost their past two at home while only winning one of four outings at Pirelli Stadium this term.

The visitors' win against Stoke was the fourth time in five games that they had scored at least two goals, but it was the ninth consecutive match that they had conceded in.

Boss Robert Page only took charge of the team in June, but he will be disappointed that his side are 21st out of 29 clubs in the Premier League 2, with his players collecting just three points from their opening three fixtures.

Liverpool Under-21s failed to advance out of their group in the EFL Trophy in 2024-25 after they finished third behind Crewe Alexandra and Blackpool.

The Reds were winless in eight games prior to their triumph against Stoke, and they were beaten on five occasions.

Liverpool's victory against Stoke was also their first on the road in five matches, suffering three defeats in that period.

Burton Albion form (all competitions):

Liverpool Under-21s form (all competitions):

Team News

Burton may utilise a front two on Tuesday, with Julian Larsson and Fabio Tavares options for Bowyer.

Jack Newall is a likely candidate to play in an advanced role ahead of midfielders Dylan Williams and Charlie Webster.

If the hosts continue to deploy a back three, then supporters may see a trio at the back consisting of Jack Armer, Jasper Moon and Finn Delap.

Meanwhile, Liverpool Under-21s could name a similar starting lineup to the side that beat Stoke, with wingers Kieran Morrison and Trent Kone Doherty set to play.

Perhaps centre-backs Lucas Pitt and Wellity Lucky will be protected by a double pivot of Tommy Pilling and Ben Trueman.

Burton Albion possible starting lineup:

Dudek; Delap, Moon, Armer; Akoto, Webster, Williams, Taroi; Newall; Larsson, Tavares

Liverpool Under-21s possible starting lineup:

Pecsi; Ramsay, Pitt, Lucky, Pinnington; Trueman, Pilling; Morrison, Laffey, Doherty; Wright

We say: Burton Albion 2-1 Liverpool Under-21s

Though Liverpool Under-21s will want to build upon their victory last time out, they have been poor for some time.

Burton should be considered favourites, but if they are as defensively vulnerable as they have been in recent weeks, then Tuesday's game will be challenging.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.