There was a clear motivation as Ebou Adams charged forward and blasted Norwich City Under-23s in front against Liverpool in the Premier League Cup quarter-finals.

Just three nights earlier the strapping midfielder had cut a dejected figure as he slumped to the turf at Carrow Road after being unable to prevent the young Canaries from being beaten 1-0 by Sunderland.

His man-of-the-match performance in that defeat in the Premier League International Cup semi-finals saw the 21-year-old and his team-mates miss out on a prestigious final against Porto – that could have played a big part in their careers.

For Adams, it would have offered an ideal stage to keep pushing for a new contract, but that did not stop the former Dartford man from pushing.

His low strike from 20 yards against Liverpool on Monday night carried the power of that Friday night frustration and the determination of his future being on the line.

Adams signed an 18-month contract when he was signed on transfer deadline day in January 2016, signing for an undisclosed fee from National League South side Dartford.

He went on to make nine appearances for City's development side in the second half of last season, after completing his 'dream' move which meant he was able to stop working at a TGI Friday's restaurant.

At first there was not too much to suggest that Adams would be troubling City's first team in the future but this season has been a different deal, as the box-to-box midfielder has put his foot on the pedal to start proving himself.

His strike against Liverpool was a fourth goal in 10 games – three of which have been winning goals. He has also played every minute of the U23s' last 12 matches, since returning from a brief loan spell with National League side Braintree, taking his tally to five goals in 27 games this season.

'He's a real passionate boy and his performance on Friday was very impressive,' academy manager Richard Money told City's website after Monday's game.

'To come back out four days later and deliver the same was a credit to him. He wasn't alone last night though, there were some really good performances throughout the group.

'That group is in a pretty good place at the minute. Since I've been here, they've grown enormously and we appear to have found a way of playing which suits them and which Liverpool found very difficult to handle.

'Of the teams that are left, Portsmouth and Swansea would be a long distance trip so a home draw against anybody would be the ideal scenario. The crowd were great on Friday and we'd like to give them an opportunity to see the boys again.'

That draw is due to be made at 2pm today, check back to this website for news of who the Canaries will face.

• Click here for all the latest Norwich City news and views

• Follow David Freezer on Twitter @davefreezer or on Facebook @DavidFreezer1