See how the future shapes up here on Read Liverpool, as we’ll be bringing you a monthly round-up of the action of the Under 21 Premier League providing Reds all over the world news of the next big players out of the academy.
Reserve football was the subject of significant changes over the summer with it being replaced by The Under-21 Premier League. The change meant only one over-aged goalkeeper and three over-aged outfielders are eligible to make up a team sheet. It aims to give the game for the younger players a more competitive edge to assist their development.
Prior to the Christmas break; Liverpool topped their group with 30 points to progress to phase two, or the ‘elite group’, as it’s known. With teams like Manchester United, Arsenal and Tottenham, it’ll be sure to provide a tough test for the young Reds.
Liverpool U21 1-0 Southampton U21 | 14/01/13
Liverpool kicked off their Elite group campaign with a 1-0 win over Southampton at Kirkby, maintaining their unbeaten status in the league.
Dani Pacheco’s deflected effort on the hour mark was enough to separate the two sides and hand the Reds their first three points of the season.
In the early exchanges, Hungarian Krisztian Adorjan broke towards goal. With Michael Ngoo in support, the midfielder opted to shoot instead, steering his effort just past the post.
Michael Ngoo then had a couple of chances for himself as he snuck in-behind the Southampton back line twice with two long-balls drove forward. However, the striker was unable to find the target on both occasions.
After the break, Dani Pacheco was presented with a golden opportunity to put the hosts in front. Conor Coady’s cross fell to the Spaniard after it was parried by the ‘keeper, Pacheco dwelled on it a fraction too long before having his effort blocked on the line.
However, the forward shrugged off the miss and came up with a piece of magic to put Liverpool ahead. He rolled past three players before linking up with a clever one-two and drove the ball towards goal as Jordan Turnbull inadvertently deflected into his own goal.
It seemed a dubious decision to pass to Stephen Sama, who was the last defender direct from a corner, but the German defender launched a long ball into the box which Danny Wilson met that glanced the outside of the post.
Southampton offered very little throughout the game, while Liverpool would be disappointed to have not added to their one goal. However, it’s a solid start to the new elite stage and one that the young Reds will look to build on.
Liverpool U21 3-2 Wolves U21 | 28/01/13
Samed Yesil struck late to dramatically earn Liverpool three points as they came from behind against Wolves in a five-goal thriller at Kirkby.
Krisztian Adorjan opened the scoring late in the first half; tapping in from close range after Yesil’s initial effort was saved.
However, the visitors turned the game around after the break.
Firstly, Conor Coady sliced a clearance into the back of his own net to draw Wolves level, before the referee controversially played advantage for a foul in the box only to pull back play for a penalty when Danny Ward saved the effort.
Sam Winnall stepped up to the spot kick and had his penalty saved, but squeezed the rebound past the despairing Ward.
The unbeaten run was in danger of ending. However, Marc Pelosi fired his shot under goalkeeper to level the score at 2-2.
Nine minutes from time, Joao Carlos Teixeira crossed for German striker Samed Yesil to seal a late victory and maintain the unbeaten streak, as well as Alex Inglethorpe’s 100% record as manager.
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