Liverpool under 21s ran out 2-1 victors against West Bromwich Albion in phase two of the under 21 Premier League at The Hawthorns on Sunday afternoon.
After a disappointing result away to Tottenham last week, Alex Inglethorpe’s men edged past the Baggies in a game overshadowed by the late injury to Liverpool midfielder Marc Pelosi, who was subsequently stretchered off the pitch after a suspected leg break.
Jordon Ibe opened the scoring for the Reds early on in the 18th minute. Joao Carlos Teixeira threaded through Adam Morgan before the striker squared it across the face of goal for Ibe to tuck away his first goal for the U21s.
Morgan then came close to doubling the visitor’s lead moments later, but slipped his effort just wide of the post as the keeper advanced to narrow the angle.
It’s been a stop start season for young midfielder Suso. The captures of Daniel Sturridge and Philippe Coutinho has resulted in the Spanish starlet once again finding himself in the reserve set-up.
However, he was influential in the first period for the under 21s, alongside the advancing Ryan McLaughlin, the Spanish international was instrumental at the heart of Liverpool’s attacking intent.
West Brom offered very little down the other end. The versatile Conor Coady looked comfortable alongside Stephen Sama, breaking down any threat that was posed.
The impressive Marc Pelosi came close to extending the lead minutes before the break after his goal-bound shot deflected just wide of the post.
Half time arrived and Liverpool looked dominant. Manager Inglethorpe would’ve been proud of the response his team had shown after their first defeat of the season against his former club a week earlier.
However, the hosts weren’t to go down without a fight.
Adil Nabi drew West Brom level after their imposing start to the half. Liverpool failed to clear their lines from a corner and Nabi was on hand to volley in following a scramble in the box.
The goal-scorer turned provider to send through Isaiah Brown, but Conor Coady sprung into action to expertly deny West Brom as they counter attacked.
Danny Ward was called into action in the 58th minute. The shot-stopper leapt to his right to deny West Brom the lead from behind.
Much of the game was fought in the middle of the park, with a couple of chances for either side.
But in the 78th minute, Joao Teixeira kept his composure to tidily put away Suso’s pass.
The Spanish midfielder himself had the chance to put the game to bed, but his free kick from the edge of the box cleared the goal comfortably.
In the dying minutes of the game Liam O’Neil saw red after lunging in two-footed against Marc Pelosi. With a cry of anguish, the German born midfielder instantly went to clutch his leg; teammates nearby and the referee signalled for the stretcher indicating a leg-break.
With an eight-minute delay, Pelosi was stretchered off the pitch with an ambulance readied outside the ground.
Liverpool:
Starting XI – Ward; McLaughlin, Coady, Sama, Robinson; Pelosi, Teixeira, Suso; Adorjan, Morgan, Ibe
Subs – Dunn, Belford, Jones, Roddan, Jones, Nacho.
