---
title: "Academy Review: Norwich and Chelsea (U21)"
canonical: "https://readliverpoolfc.com/columns/academy-review-norwich-and-chelsea-u21/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Oli Marecar"
section: "Columns"
published: "2015-05-13T12:37:17Z"
modified: "2015-05-13T12:37:17Z"
---

# Academy Review: Norwich and Chelsea (U21)

The Liverpool u21s played Chelsea at Aldershot on Friday night. Chelsea’s Academy, who have already won FA Youth Cup and the UEFA Youth League, were seeking to add the u21s league title to their silverware this season.

Liverpool fielded a strong side with Sheyi Ojo, Jerome Sinclair, Kevin Stewart and Jordan Williams making the team after returning from their loan spells. The Reds took the lead when Sinclair netted but the in-form Blues stormed back to lead 3-1 at half time thanks to a brace from the prolific Dominic Solanke and one from Alex Kiwomya.

After the break, Liverpool piled on the pressure and their early endeavours were rewarded with a goal from skipper Cameron Brannagan. More chances fell to the Liverpool youngsters but Chelsea restored their two-goal lead after Solanke completed a fine hat-trick. Liverpool did pull one back towards the end when Welshman Harry Wilson struck to make the full-time score 4-3 to Chelsea.

On Monday, the u21s were back in action at Anfield to play their last match of the season against Norwich City. The Reds flew out the blocks and Jordan Williams finished off a well-worked corner involving Ryan Kent and Dan Cleary. Liverpool made it two when Harry Wilson found Kent in the box with a brilliant through ball and Kent finished competently. Skipper Cameron Brannagan extended the lead before half-time with a pile driver from 25 yards which crashed in to the bottom corner of the net.

The second half started in similar fashion but Norwich pulled one back when the Liverpool defence was split and Josh Murphy smashed home. Shortly afterwards, a resurgent Norwich got another when Carlton Morris tapped in from six yards. Incredibly, Norwich made it 3-3 after Jacob Murphy found himself one-on-one with the keeper and unselfishly supplied the ball to his twin brother Josh to tap in to an empty net.

A stunned Liverpool side began to venture forwards and Sheyi Ojo’s goalbound shot was stopped by a Norwich defender’s hand and a penalty was awarded to Liverpool. Ojo remained composed to confidently finish the penalty to make it 4-3 to Liverpool. However, there was one last twist in this fantastic football match. Josh Murphy advanced in to penalty area and even though the Liverpool defenders forced him into a tight angle, he still found the net with a superb shot.

A fantastic advert for youth football finished 4-4 and with that Liverpool’s season was over.  It seems likely that Liverpool will finish in the top three but coach Michael Beale should be proud of the development his players have made and look forward to seeing some of the youngsters travel with the senior team on their pre-season tour.