One week after the U21 side snatched an impressive three points at White Hart Lane, the Reds hosted League One side Fleetwood Town for a friendly which ended 2-1 to the visitors.
The Reds bounced back by defeating Everton 3-1 at Goodison on Thursday. The U18s suffered a 3-2 defeat at West Ham despite breaking the deadlock after a goalless first half, but they were able to put the loss behind them by defeating Derby County 3-2 away on Saturday.
U21s – After a tremendous showing away against Spurs, Michael Beale’s side played Fleetwood Town in Kirkby for a friendly match.
The Reds started the match on the wrong foot, conceding the first goal to Akil Wright. However, Samed Yesil was able to put one of the Reds’ many chances in the back of the net, as he dribbled around the keeper to tie the match at 1-1.
Despite the Reds’ dominance, Fleetwood’s Harvey Hodd gave the visiting side a 2-1 advantage, which ended up being the match winner.
Beale said, “We created a lot of chances but were very wasteful in front of goal so we will be hoping to put that right against Everton.”
And that they did. Although the Reds started slowly, Ryan Kent took over the match. A wonderful dummy from Kent brought him towards goal where he curled it in from just outside the box, leveling the match in the 26th minute.
In the second half, Ryan Kent scored a Coutinho-esque goal in the 70th minute to give the Reds the lead. He got the ball near the corner of the 18, cut inside, and drove the ball from almost the same spot as his first goal.
Then, 37-year-old Everton defender Sylvain Distin brought down Sheyi Ojo inside the box in the 77th minute; Ojo buried the penalty.
On Monday, the Reds hosted Leicester City, where the away side opened the scoring just before the first half with a header from a set piece.
In the second half, 19-year-old Dan Cleary leveled the score for Liverpool, with a brilliant header from a set piece. This was what the Reds needed to change the momentum in the match.
From then on, it was all Liverpool. Cameron Brannagan received the ball outside the box, with the keeper out of position from a clearance. He blasted the ball past the keeper from right outside the box to give the Reds the lead. Despite later threats from Leicester, Liverpool held on for the 2-1 victory.
The Reds will travel to Chelsea on Thursday.
U18s – Neil Critchley’s side traveled to West Ham last Saturday where they did not look confident. The match was scoreless at half time, but West Ham were the better side. The Portuguese forward Toni Gomes opened the scoring for the Reds on his debut with a wonderful goal. He was through on goal, attacking from the left side. Then he cut inside on his right foot, did a few step overs, and drilled the ball near post.
Although West Ham equalized from a set piece, the Reds took the lead once again when 16-year-old Herbie Kane scored a brilliant volley with his left foot from outside the box.
However, the Reds conceded two goals near the ends and lost the match.
A week later, the Reds traveled to Derby County. Toni Gomes opened the scoring once again as he settled the ball brilliantly from just outside the 6, and he blasted the ball into the top of the net with his left foot.
Derby proceeded to put two goals in against the Reds, but it was Toni Gomes who scored once again for Liverpool.
An impressive touch inside the box gave Gomes enough room to get his shot away.
In stoppage time, Callum Nicholas headed home a cross to give the Reds a much needed three points.
Neil Critchley said after the match, “It’s nice to be on the right side of a 3-2 scoreline for once! To go 2-1 down I thought the spirit and character of the lads was superb and I’m absolutely delighted with the boys.”
On Saturday, the Reds hosted Reading in their final match of the season. Liverpool started the match well, with Callum Nicholas orchestrating. Also, Ovie Eljaria nearly won a penalty for the Reds, but the referee rejected the claim. Liverpool were bossed off the park by Reading from that point on. Reading slotted home two tidy goals, plus a third from a defensive error. Reading left with a 3-0 victory over the Reds.
