It was a good week for the Liverpool Academy this week as both the U18s and the U21s secured wins in their respective matches. First up, the U18s were at home to Sunderland on Saturday and fielded a team including the likes of Sergi Canos, Adam Phillips and Wade Maxwell. There was also an U18s debut for centre back Conor Masterson. It was Masterson’s surge up field that led to the opening goal for Liverpool. Masterson helped his defensive colleague Sam Hart win the free kick, the resulting set piece was taken superbly by Adam Phillips as Maxwell was in the right place to powerfully head home.
Sunderland’s response was encouraging as the visitors threatened to equalise. Sergi Canos had the chance to double Liverpool’s lead twice but spurned both opportunities. While Sunderland dictated possession towards the end, they were unable to find that elusive goal and the match finished 1-0 to the young Reds.
On Monday, it was the U21’s turn to play Sunderland and both teams were fresh from wins against Manchester City in their previous matches. Cameron Brannagan captained the side and also broke the deadlock in a tight first half. Welsh wing-wizard Harry Wilson broke down the right and brilliantly pulled the ball back for Brannagan to smash home. In the middle of the field, Jordan Williams and Alex O’Hanlon controlled the play and ensured that Liverpool went in to the interval with a lead. The second half was a physical affair with challenges coming in from all sides, however Sunderland were unable to equalise and this match also finished 1-0 to the Reds.
There was also an update from academy director Alex Inglethorpe on youngster Jordan Rossiter. Rossiter injured his ankle in the FA Youth Cup defeat to Birmingham City last month but Inglethorpe is confident that he’ll make a swift comeback.
“Knowing his character as we all do at the Academy it’s something he will overcome in his typical and determined, single-minded way,“ Inglethorpe told Liverpoolfc.com.
“It’s such a shame for Jordan because he was doing so well and it was quite an innocuous thing the way the injury happened. He went up for a header and landed very badly on his ankle and he has had to have surgery on that now. No doubt Jordan will try to make a quicker return than we expect and he’ll probably be planning a comeback in the next two weeks knowing him, but he’s determined and he’s one of those lovely players you have to make sure you keep the reins on.”
Coming up this week, it’s the u18s mini-derby on Saturday 21st February (kick off 11:00 live on LFC TV) and there is also an intriguing European tie to look forward to against Benfica on Tuesday 24th February. The U21s do not play their next match until March 2nd against Chelsea.
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