Liverpool’s Under 21 side travelled up the M62 to take on their Manchester United counterparts hoping to exact some revenge for a heavy defeat and a 2-2 draw at the hands of the old rivals last weekend for the U18s and the senior side respectively.
There were numerous familiar faces in the Reds’ lineup with Jayden Danns, Rhys Williams and Lewis Koumas all in action at Old Trafford for Barry Lewtas’ charges.
On the substitute bench, there was also a recognisable name as Stefan Bajcetic continued his comeback from injury having been an unused substitute in the three-nil defeat at the hands of Atalanta on Thursday night.
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Following a bright start it was Lewtas’ side who took the lead through Trent Kone-Doherty after he followed up a low parried shot from Danns as the powerful number nine showed off his nimble feet on the edge of the box to get a shot away.
The hosts threatened predominantly on the counter-attack and a long-range Bruno Fernandes-esque effort from Charlie McNeeil threatened to catch out the Reds’ before stopper Fabian Mrozek backpedalled to tip the ball over the crossbar.
All in all, it was a promising first-half display as the whistle blew with the visitors deservedly in the lead from a Liverpool side blessed with a pacy front four in the shape of Danns, Kone-Doherty, Koumas and the lively Kaide Gordon.
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Liverpool started off the second half in equally impressive fashion as the unchanged youngsters in green and white continued to push forward in front of a sizeable away following on a Friday night.
Bajcetic’s eagerly anticipated return came around the hour mark as the young Spaniard entered the fray alongside Isaac Mabaya. Moments later Gordon saw a well-struck shot tipped behind for a corner as Lewtas’ side pressed for a more comfortable lead.
Literally with the next meaningful attack, it was Gordon again who carried the ball forward and unleashed an unstoppable strike into the bottom right-hand corner to double the advantage. Well deserved for Lewtas’ charges and indeed for the young attacker.
Having led the line superbly all night, Danns got his own reward with an audacious finish to further extend the lead after fine work by Koumas down the left before the big frontman took a touch and pulled off a ridiculous backheel beyond the United goalkeeper.
The only downer on an otherwise perfect night was an injury to Mabaya as the substitute limped off having recently returned from a prolonged spell on the sidelines.
However, all in all, it was a job well done and perhaps minor revenge for Liverpool over our oldest and bitterest enemy.
The attacking prowess on show was a joy to watch with Danns in particular a constant threat with his intelligent running, link-up play and physicality up top for the Reds…plenty more to come from that lad!