Swansea City Under 23s  0 - 2  Liverpool Under 23s

Friday 11 August 2017 19:00 Premier League 2   Swansea City U 23s Liverpool U 23s 0 - 2  (0-1)   GOAL    Ings 11, Dhanda 63     1  Gregor Zabret   2  Tyler Reid   3  Aaron Lewis   4  Adnan Maric   5  Cian Harries   6  Joe Rodon (c)   7  Jordon Garrick   8  Adam King   9  Botti Biabi  10  George Byers  11  Gorre  Subs:  13  Lewis Thomas  12  Liam Cullen  14  Jack Evans  15  Tom Plezier  16  Ryan Blair   1  Kamil Grabara   2  Corey Whelan (c)   3  Sam Hart   4  Nathaniel Phillips   5  Lloyd Jones   6  Michael Jordan Williams   7  Matthew Virtue-Thick   8  Herbie Kane   9  Daniel Ings  10  Yan Dhanda  11  Rhian Brewster  Subs:  13  Ryan Crump  12  Paulo Alves  14  Toni Gomes  15  George Johnston  16  Conor Masterson   SUBSTITUTIONS  Maric (Evans 46)  Gorre (Blair 65)  Blair (Cullen 85)  Ings (Alves 46)  Brewster (Gomes 77)   OFFICIALS & BOOKINGS Referee: Savvas Yianni  Booked: Maric 32  Booked: M J Williams 27 VENUE U 23s HEAD COACHS Landore Training Ground (capacity ) Attendance: 468 Jonathan Cameron Toshack (Swansea C) Neil Critchley (Liverpool)

Ings and Dhanda guide U23s to win at Swansea   Danny Ings and Yan Dhanda were on target as Liverpool U23s began their Premier League 2 campaign with a 2-0 victory at Swansea City.   The first-team forward, who enjoyed a 45-minute runout after returning from a second long-term injury in the summer, fired a clinical opener in the early stages.   And Dhanda ensured the visitors’ momentum told as time ticked away, slamming home from Matty Virtue’s inch-perfect through ball to add shine to an impressive performance.   Neil Critchley was able to name senior striker Ings in the starting line-up for his first competitive fixture since stepping up from U18s manager to the U23s position this summer.   The 25-year-old could have marked his return to action with a goal as early as the fifth minute.   A crunching tackle by Virtue in Swansea territory saw the ball fall to Ings, who shifted past a defender to create space for a shot that was too centrally placed to properly trouble the goalkeeper. Dhanda’s follow-up effort from the edge of the box was thwarted, too.   Ings hit the target on 11 minutes, though.   A deep cross from the left, swung in by Sam Hart, was intelligently nodded back by Rhian Brewster and his strike partner produced a flawless first-time finish that fizzed past the goalkeeper.   Liverpool were almost gifted a second when Joe Rodon hacked at a cross and sent the ball looping towards the top corner – but Gregor Zabret reacted quickly to prevent an own goal.   Dhanda thrived at the tip of a diamond midfield, supporting Brewster and Ings to good effect, and tested the Swans stopper’s handling in wet conditions with a bouncing attempt from 20 yards.   The home side reminded the Reds that the game was far from over before the interval, Botti Biabi forcing Kamil Grabara to react to a glanced header to preserve the lead.   There was little let-up in the tempo when the sides returned for the second half – Ings having been withdrawn at the interval – and only an outstanding dive by Zabret denied Brewster’s well-aimed prod on a diagonal from the left.   Substitute Paulo Alves might have done better when the ball was shifted efficiently from Virtue to Brewster and into the Portuguese’s run forward, but his dink from close range lacked conviction.   Next, there were significant Liverpool claims for a penalty ignored. Fed by Virtue through the middle, Dhanda sought to round the goalkeeper and hit the ground as his loft at goal simultaneously bobbled onto the right post.   Ultimately, it did not matter.   The same combination used the same method to slice Swansea open and this time Dhanda took the direct route, planting an unerring effort into the roof of the net to guarantee the points for Critchley’s team.   Liverpool U23s: Grabara, Whelan, Hart, Phillips, Jones, J Williams, Virtue, Kane, Ings (Alves, 46), Dhanda, Brewster (Gomes, 77). Unused substitutes: Crump, Johnston, Masterson.   © Copyright of official site Liverpool FC.

Liverpool Under 23s  3 - 0  Sunderland Under 23s

Saturday 20 August 2017 14:00 Premier League 2   Liverpool U 23s Sunderland U 23s 3 - 0  (0-0)   GOAL  Virtue-Thick 78, 87, Brewster 82       1  Kamil Grabara   2  Corey Whelan (c)   3  Sam Hart   4  Nathaniel Phillips   5  Lloyd Jones   6  Michael Jordan Williams   7  Ryan Kent   8  Marko Grujic   9  Daniel Ings  10  Oviemuno Ejaria  11  Ben Woodburn  Subs:  13  Andrew Firth  14  Matthew Virtue-Thick  15  Yan Dhanda  16  Rhian Brewster  12  George Johnston   1  Max Stryjek   2  Josh Robson   3  Tom Beadling (c)   4  Michael Ledger   5  Denver Hume   6  Adam Bale   7  Luke Molyneux   8  Ethan Robson   9  Andrew Nelson  10  Elliot Embleton  11  Jack Diamond  Subs:  13  James Talbot  12  Brandon Taylor  14  Owen Gamble  15  Daniel Wright  17  Chris Allan   SUBSTITUTIONS  Kent (Brewster 46)  Grujic (Virtue-Thick 46)  Ings (Dhanda 70)  Diamond (Allan 66)   OFFICIALS & BOOKINGS Referee: Simeon Lucas  Booked: Hart 25, Ejaria 86  Booked: Bale 81, Hume 90 VENUE U 23s HEAD COACHS Prenton Park (capacity 16,567) Attendance: 592 Neil Critchley (Liverpool) Elliot Dickman (Sunderland)

Late flurry earns LFC U23s win over Sunderland   A magnificent late flurry earned Liverpool U23s a 3-0 victory over Sunderland in their Premier League 2 meeting on Sunday afternoon.   Despite promising openings at either end, particularly in the second half, neither side had found the clinical touch as the game entered its final quarter-hour.   But substitutes Rhian Brewster and Matty Virtue made the difference, netting once and twice respectively in a 10-minute period to wrap up a clean sweep of successes for the Reds this weekend.   Neil Critchley was able to call on significant first-team experience for his starting line-up, with Marko Grujic in midfield and Danny Ings once again the central striker. Ovie Ejaria, Ryan Kent and Ben Woodburn were also given minutes.   And they made a lively start in front of a crowd that included Kenny Dalglish at Prenton Park.   Grujic was apologetic after charging through the middle in the 14th minute and reaching the edge of the Sunderland penalty box with options to choose from.   The 21-year-old opted for a shot when a pass left to Kent was perhaps the better choice – and held his hands up as the effort rolled straight to the goalkeeper.   Woodburn was then unlucky to see an instant volley strike a defender having met Sam Hart’s deep cross to the back post with an excellent exhibition of technique.   The visitors soon settled, however, and the Reds began to find opportunities scarce.   Indeed, Sunderland should probably have taken the lead themselves eight minutes before the break, when Elliot Embleton drove forward and waited for the support of Jack Diamond in space to the left.   But the latter hesitated instead of taking an attempt immediately, and the chance evaporated.   Luke Molyneux was soon more direct, ducking in to a shooting position off the right side and drawing a neat save from Kamil Grabara at his near post.   Where it took Ings a mere 11 minutes to find the net last weekend, there was little for the Englishman to work with for the majority of the first half here.   Nevertheless, he came closest to breaking the deadlock in stoppage-time, expertly controlling a cross-field punt from Grujic and swivelling to clip a shot narrowly wide of the left post.   There was still time for a huge penalty appeal by Kent, too. The No.7 stole possession off Tom Beadling and then tumbled under the same opponent’s recovering challenge in the area, but the referee was unmoved.   Ings remained on the pitch for the second half, ultimately playing 70 minutes as he continues a comeback from long-term injury, while Grujic and Kent were replaced by Virtue and Brewster respectively.   And each of the two substitutes were involved in quickfire opportunities for Liverpool to open the scoring around the hour mark.   First, Virtue swept in a low cross from the right flank that Ings was alert to but failed to connect with as Sunderland goalkeeper Max Stryjek approached.   Seconds later, Corey Whelan produced an even better delivery from a similar position, picking out Brewster, whose left-footed finish across goal was tipped wide by Stryjek.   The outcome might have been completely different had the away team taken either of the two brilliant chances they subsequently created.   Molyneux’s footwork in the right channel fashioned room for a cross to the far post, where Chris Allan miscued to blaze over the crossbar when perfectly placed.   He almost made amends by robbing Lloyd Jones in Reds territory, darting in and squaring for Embleton – but the No.10’s attempt at a careful curler flew wide.   And Liverpool made the opposition pay with three decisive goals in the closing stages.   The breakthrough came via a deep diagonal cross by Yan Dhanda from the left which Whelan headed firmly against the crossbar, leaving Virtue to tap in the rebound from close range.   Fellow substitute Brewster then doubled the advantage having raced onto Ejaria’s lofted pass over the Black Cats defence and knocked a finish beyond the ‘keeper.   The two goalscorers then combined to add further gloss to the scoreline with three minutes remaining – Brewster beating the offside trap and squaring for Virtue to sweep in his second and the Reds’ third.   Liverpool U23s: Grabara, Whelan, Hart, Phillips, Jones, Williams, Kent (Brewster, 46), Grujic (Virtue, 46), Ings (Dhanda, 70), Ejaria, Woodburn. Unused substitutes: Firth, Johnston.   © Copyright of official site Liverpool FC.

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Chelsea Under 23s  1 - 3  Liverpool Under 23s

Saturday 25 November 2017 14:00 Premier League 2   Chelsea U 23s Liverpool U 23s 1 - 3  (1-1)   GOAL  Hudson-Odoi 21  Wilson 6, 71, Woodburn 41     1  Jamie Cumming   2  Reece James   3  Trevoh Chalobah   4  Jake Clarke-Salter (c)   5  Josh Grant   6  Ruben Sammut   7  Dujon Sterling   8  Jacob Maddox   9  Martell Taylor-Crossdale  10  Harvey St Clair  11  Callum Hudson-Odoi  Subs:  13  Marcin Bulka  12  Isaac Christie-Davies  14  Kylian Hazard  15  Richard Nartey  16  Cole Dasilva   1  Caomhin Kelleher   2  Jon Flanagan   3  George Johnston   4  Lloyd Jones   5  Corey Whelan (c)   6  Oviemuno Ejaria   7  Harry Wilson   8  Matthew Virtue-Thick   9  Rhian Brewster  10  Herbie Kane  11  Ben Woodburn  Subs:  13  Andrew Firth  12  Paulo Alves  14  Bobby Adekanye  15  Yan Dhanda  16  Conor Masterson   SUBSTITUTIONS  St Clair (Hazard 68)  Maddox (Christie-Davies 75)  Brewster (Adekanye 78)  Woodburn (Dhanda 78)   OFFICIALS & BOOKINGS Referee:  Booked: Sammut 61, Cumming 67  Booked: Ejaria 64, Johnston 79 VENUE U 23s HEAD COACHS Cobham training ground (capacity ) Attendance: 195 Joe Edwards (Chelsea) Neil Critchley (Liverpool)   Notes:   - Match was played in stadium at Cobham training ground, Cobham, Surrey.

Wilson at the double as U23s win at Chelsea   Harry Wilson scored twice and Ben Woodburn was also on the mark as Liverpool U23s strengthened their position at the top of Premier League 2 after a 3-1 win over Chelsea at Cobham on Saturday afternoon.   After the 4-0 win over Everton in the mini-derby last weekend, Neil Critchley's side went into the clash in London full of confidence.   The young Reds took just six minutes to break the deadlock when Wilson ran through to finish superbly.   Callum Hudson-Odoi levelled the scores with a fine individual effort, but with the half-time break looming, Woodburn broke clear and produced a calm finish to make it 2-1.   With the home side pushing forward in search of an equaliser, the Reds were always a threat on the counter-attack and Wilson put the game beyond doubt when he netted his 11th strike of another very productive season in front of goal to clinch the victory.   Reflecting on the win, Critchley told Liverpoolfc.com: "We are pleased with the result but we weren't at our fluent best.   "I've got to be honest and say we have played much better this season, but it's a good sign to win when we weren't at our best.   "We defended well and the team defended resolutely so that was pleasing.   "Harry is in really good form in front of goal for us, is always a threat and he's doing well.   "I was also really pleased with the defensive side of his game and he worked his socks off for the team."   Liverpool U23s: Kelleher, Flanagan, Johnston, Jones, Whelan, Ejaria, Wilson, Virtue, Brewster (Dhanda, 78), Kane, Woodburn (Adekanye, 78).   Subs not used: Firth, Alves, Masterson.   © Copyright of official site Liverpool FC.

Sunderland Under 23s  1 - 4  Liverpool Under 23s

Saturday 10 December 2017 12:00 Premier League 2   Sunderland U 23s Liverpool U 23s 1 - 4  (1-1)   GOAL  Asoro 41  Brannagan 4 p, Brewster 74, Virtue-Thick 79, Woodburn 82     1  Mika   2  Josh Robson   3  Denver Hume   4  Tom Beadling (c)   5  Brandon Taylor   6  Alex Storey   7  Joel Asoro   8  Ethan Robson   9  Josh Maja  10  Elliot Embleton  11  Rees Greenwood  Subs:  13  James Talbot  12  Sam Brotherton  14  Chris Allan  15  Owen Gamble  16  Adam Bale   1  Kamil Grabara   2  Matthew Virtue-Thick   3  George Johnston   4  Lloyd Jones   5  Corey Whelan (c)   6  Cameron Brannagan   7  Harry Wilson   8  Herbie Kane   9  Rhian Brewster  10  Ben Woodburn  11  Yan Dhanda  Subs:  13  Daniel Atherton  12  Paulo Alves  14  Mich'el Parker  15  Bobby Adekanye  16  Juan Manuel Garcia Rey   SUBSTITUTIONS  Taylor (Gamble 65)  E Robson (Allan 89)  Maja (Bale 89)  Dhanda (Adekanye 62)  Johnston (Garcia Rey 83)  Brewster (Alves 83))   OFFICIALS & BOOKINGS Referee: Glen Hart  Booked: E Robson 70  Booked: Brannagan 22, Virtue-Thick 86 VENUE U 23s HEAD COACHS Stadium of Light (capacity 48,707) Attendance: 169 Elliot Dickman (Sunderland) Neil Critchley (Liverpool)

Brewster and Woodburn on the mark as U23s beat Sunderland   Rhian Brewster and Ben Woodburn were on the mark as Liverpool U23s extended their lead at the top of Premier League 2 with a 4-1 win over Sunderland at the Stadium of Light on Sunday.   After suffering back-to-back defeats in two cup competitions last week, Neil Critchley's side bounced back in style to get the three points.   The young Reds took the lead from the penalty spot on five minutes. Harry Wilson was sent tumbling in the penalty area and Cameron Brannagan stepped up to make no mistake from 12 yards out.   The home side levelled four minutes before the break when Joel Asoro headed home from close range.   Liverpool took the game to Sunderland after the restart but, despite their dominance, found it hard to break the hosts down.   Brewster made it 2-1 on 72 minutes, though, by winning back possession and running through to produce a clinical finish.   Matty Virtue added a third from close range before Woodburn, after being fed by Brewster, superbly increased the advantage.   The victory extended Critchley's charges' lead to eight points at the top of Premier League 2, but third-placed Leicester City could reduce that gap with a game in hand.   Reflecting on the result, the U23s manager told Liverpoolfc.com: "We responded really well from the Stoke defeat last weekend and I'm pleased with the boys.   "We controlled the game and dominated possession, and at half-time we were thinking 'How are we not winning this game?'   "Sunderland defended in numbers and we had to be patient but in the end we got our rewards.   "We scored some really good goals and I am really pleased with the response to last week."   Liverpool U23s: Grabara, Virtue, Johnston (Juanma, 83), Jones, Whelan, Brannagan, Wilson, Kane, Brewster (Alves, 83), Woodburn, Dhanda (Adekanye, 62).   Subs not used: Atherton, Parker.   © Copyright of official site Liverpool FC.

Liverpool Under 23s  1 - 3  Swansea City Under 23s

Friday 15 December 2017 12:30 Premier League 2   Liverpool U 23s Swansea City U 23s 1 - 3  (0-2)   GOAL  Brannagan 64  Garrick 15, McBurnie 39, Byers 46     1  Kamil Grabara   2  Matthew Virtue-Thick   3  George Johnston   4  Lloyd Jones   5  Corey Whelan (c)   6  Cameron Brannagan   7  Harry Wilson   8  Herbie Kane   9  Rhian Brewster  10  Oviemuno Ejaria  11  Bobby Adekanye  Subs:  13  Andrew Firth  12  Paulo Alves  14  Juan Manuel Garcia Rey  15  Mich'el Parker   1  Gregor Zabret   2  Tyler Reid   3  Aaron Lewis   4  Jack Evans   5  Cian Harries   6  Joe Rodon (c)   7  Jordon Garrick   8  Jay Fulton   9  Oliver McBurnie  10  George Byers  11  Adam King  Subs:  13  Lewis Thomas  12  Daniel James  14  Adnan Maric  15  Jack Bainbridge  16  Ryan Blair   SUBSTITUTIONS  Johnston (Garcia Rey 62)  Adekanye (Alves 72)  King (James 61)  Byers (Maric 87)   OFFICIALS & BOOKINGS Referee: Ryan Johnson  Booked: Wilson 84  Booked: Lewis 60, 68, Byers 77  Sent Off: Lewis 68 VENUE U 23s HEAD COACHS The Academy, Kirkby (capacity ) Attendance: Neil Critchley (Liverpool) Jonathan Cameron Toshack (Swansea C)

U23s stopped by Swansea at the Academy   Liverpool U23s endured an afternoon to forget as they were beaten 3-1 by Swansea City in their Premier League 2 clash at the Academy.   Despite coming into the game on the back of a fine success at Sunderland last weekend, the young Reds were handed a sobering defeat by their Welsh counterparts in Kirkby.   Cameron Brannagan’s second-half penalty proved mere consolation as Neil Critchley’s side fell short of a comeback against 10 men after the break.   The visitors made the brighter start and were rewarded for their early endeavours on 14 minutes, George Byers releasing winger Jordan Garrick to run through and send the ball past Kamil Grabara.   There were half-chances for Rhian Brewster and Bobby Adekanye as Liverpool tried to respond in haste but they were indebted to their goalkeeper’s reflexes in saving Oliver McBurnie’s header from a Swansea corner.   But, six minutes before the interval, the deficit increased.   Byers was the creator once more along the right flank and his cross allowed McBurnie to clinically find the bottom corner and open up a deserved advantage.   Any hopes Critchley might have had of a comeback were extinguished within 30 seconds of the restart.   Pressure on Grabara as the Pole attempted to deal with another delivery from another right-wing cross saw the ‘keeper drop the ball and present Byers with a tap-in.   But, shortly after the hour mark and having already struck the crossbar with a free-kick, Harry Wilson won a penalty for the Reds. Swansea stopper Gregor Zabret fouled the Welshman and Brannagan successfully sent the spot-kick home.   When Aaron Lewis was shown a red card for two bookable offences moments later, Critchley’s charges sensed an opportunity to mount a previously unlikely recovery.   Two huge penalty appeals were rejected, though, and the necessary goals did not materialise – leaving the Premier League 2 leaders pointless on the day.   Liverpool U23s: Grabara, Virtue, Johnston (Juanma, 62), Jones, Whelan, Brannagan, Wilson, Kane, Brewster, Ejaria, Adekanye (Alves, 72). Unused substitutes: Firth, Parker.   © Copyright of official site Liverpool FC.

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L22

Premier League Cup

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Liverpool Under 23s  3 - 4  Stoke City Under 23s

Sunday 3 December 2017 13:00 Premier League Cup Group Phase   Liverpool U 23s Stoke City U 23s 3 - 4  ( - )   GOAL  Ings 2 goals, L Jones  Ngoy, Campbell, Shenton, Jarvis     1  Caomhin Kelleher   -  Corey Whelan   -  George Johnston   -  Lloyd Jones   -  Conor Masterson   -  Cameron Brannagan   -  Herbie Kane   -  Oviemuno Ejaria   -  Daniel Ings   -  Harry Wilson   -  Rhian Brewster  Subs:  13  Ben Williams   -  Paulo Alves   -  Juan Manuel Garcia Rey   -  Mich'el Parker   -  Yan Dhanda     1  Daniel Gyollai   -  Tom Edwards   -  Josh Tymon   -  Lasse Sorensen   -  Harry Souttar   -  Lewis Banks   -  Jake Dunwoody   -  Oliver Shenton   -  Tyrese Campbell   -  Daniel Jarvis   -  Julien Ngoy  Subs:  13  Mitchell Allen   -  Ryan Hill   -  Cameron McJannett   -  James Butler   -   Shola Ayoola   SUBSTITUTIONS  Johnston (Dhanda ?)  Masterson (Garcia Rey ?)  Ejaria (Alves ?)  Gyollai (Allen 66)  Dunwoody (Hill 66)  Ngoy (Ayoola 89)   OFFICIALS & BOOKINGS Referee: Karl Evans  Booked:  Booked: VENUE U 23s HEAD COACHS Lookers Vauxhall St. (capacity 5,376) Attendance: Neil Critchley (Liverpool) Glyn Hodges (Stoke C)

Ings nets twice as U23s edged out in seven-goal thriller   Liverpool U23s suffered their first Premier League Cup defeat of the season after a 4-3 defeat to Stoke City on Sunday.   Danny Ings' brace and a Lloyd Jones header made for a tight game at the home of Chester FC but Neil Critchley's side were ultimately edged out.   Critchley made four changes to the team that lost to Sparta Prague in midweek, with Rhian Brewster, Cameron Brannagan and Corey Whelan returning, the latter as captain.   The game started at a blistering pace, with each team registering a goal in the opening 10 minutes.   The Potters struck first, Tyrese Campbell pinching the ball just outside the area and forcing a save from Caoimhin Kelleher before Julien Ngoy followed in to tuck the rebound away.   However, Jones ensured the Reds were not long behind, meeting Harry Wilson's inswinging corner and powering a header home.   Brewster, Ings and Brannagan all subsequently tested the Stoke goalkeeper as the home side began to turn the screw in a bid to complete the turnaround.   The former pair combined beautifully to set Brewster up for a shot but Daniel Gyollai did well to save a powerful attempt and Ings’ subsequent effort.   And, moments later, Campbell put Stoke back in front, the forward picking up the ball down the Reds' right-hand side before squeezing an attempt under Kelleher.   Liverpool were unfortunate not make immediate amends when pinball in the Potters' box ended in Ings shooting over - but they were to suffer a further blow before the break.   With half-time fast approaching, Oliver Shenton collected the ball and hit an unstoppable effort into the top left corner to make it 3-1.   Liverpool were quick out of the blocks in the second period, with Brewster winning a penalty not long after the restart.   And though Wilson's initial effort was stopped, Ings followed in to net his first goal of the game and give the Reds hope of a second-half fightback.   Unfortunately, attempts to push for an equaliser left the hosts exposed, allowing Stoke to restore their two-goal advantage with 20 minutes left to play, Daniel Jarvis showing good feet to work space before cracking a shot in.   Critchley called for Yan Dhanda, Juanma and Paulo Alves from the bench as he looked to change his side's fortunes as the game wore on.   That pressure began to tell, with Ings having a shot cleared off the line and Wilson was unfortunate to see an attempt cannon off the upright   But an injury-time penalty won by the latter and converted by the former was to prove but a late consolation as the Reds ended up on the wrong side of a thrilling contest.   Liverpool U23s: Kelleher, Whelan, Johnston (Dhanda), Jones, Masterson (Juanma), Brannagan, Kane, Ejaria (Alves), Ings, Wilson, Brewster.   Unused subs: Williams, Parker.   © Copyright of official site Liverpool FC.

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Premier League International Cup

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Liverpool Under 23s  0 - 1  Sparta Under 23s (Prague, Czech)

Tuesday 22 November 2014 19:00 Premier League  International Cup Group Phase     Liverpool U 23s Sparta U 23s 0 - 1  (0-0)   GOAL    Plavsic 87     1  Danny Ward   2  Conor Masterson   3  George Johnston   4  Herbie Kane   5  Lloyd Jones   6  Oviemuno Ejaria   7  Harry Wilson   8  Ben Woodburn   9  Daniel Ings  10  Yan Dhanda  11  Bobby Adekanye  Subs:  13  Caomhin Kelleher  12  Paulo Alves  14  Mich'el Parker  15  Matthew Virtue-Thick  16  Rhian Brewster  17  Cameron Brannagan     1  Vojtech Vorel   2  Eldar Civic   3  David Brezina  16  Daniel Kostl  15  Marian Burda  12  Srdan Plavsic   6  Richard Sedlacek   8  Daniel Marecek  14  Ondrej Novotny   9  Lukas Julis  10  Vaclav Drchal  Subs:  22  Hugo Backovsky   5  Jiri Boula  11  Youssouf Dao  17  Christian Frydek   7  Baba Lamine  Traore  13  Vojtech Cmelik   SUBSTITUTIONS  Kane (Virtue-Thick 73)  Dhanda (Brewster 73)  Novotny (Frydek 60)  Julis (Dao 66)  Brezina (Cmelik 70)   OFFICIALS & BOOKINGS Referee: Joe Hull (England)  Booked: Virtue-Thick 77, Brewster 90  Booked: Plavsic 87, Vorel 90, Sedlacek 90 VENUE U 23s HEAD COACHS Prenton Park (capacity 16,567) Attendance: Neil Critchley (Liverpool) Michal Hornak (Sparta)   Notes:   - Sparta used away kits, white shirt with blue shorts and blue socks.

Late goal sees U23s defeated by Sparta Prague   Liverpool U23s were hit by a late sucker punch as they suffered a 1-0 defeat to Sparta Prague in the Premier League International Cup on Tuesday evening.   The Reds bossed large periods of play at Prenton Park but failed to convert their best chance of the match when Harry Wilson sent a penalty wide in the first half.   It looked like the game would end honours even when Sparta missed a spot-kick off their own late in the second period but Srdan Placsic, the man thwarted by Danny Ward, made amends five minutes from time.   Liverpool will now need to beat PSV Eindhoven in their final group game next month to stand a chance of progressing to the next round.   With the U23s playing their second of three games in an eight-day period, Neil Critchley opted to make a number of changes.   That meant a move to an unfamiliar three-at-the-back formation and a rest for striker Rhian Brewster, while Ward was introduced to the starting line-up in goal.   Perhaps due to the change in shape, the hosts made a slow start to proceedings.   It took until the 19th minute for the either side to go close, with Ben Woodburn clipping the crossbar from a brilliant 25-yard free-kick, but that effort seemed to bring the game to life.   Sparta Prague shook the woodwork themselves shortly after through Lukas Julis, who arguably should have done better with so much of the goal to aim at.   Wilson then saw the ball pinched off his toes in winding up for a finish inside the box - though he would have an even better chance just before the break.   A quick one-two with Danny Ings allowed Bobby Adenkanye to burst into the visitors' box, where he was tripped by Eldar Civic, but Wilson could only clip the outside of the post with his penalty attempt after sending the 'keeper the wrong way.   Liverpool continued to have the best of the game in the second period, with Yan Dhanda firing a powerful effort just wide inside the first five minutes and Wilson seeing a curling attempt headed off the line soon after.   Critchley looked to help his side turn the screw in the final 20 minutes, introducing both Brewster and Matty Virtue from the substitute's bench.   But it looked like a rare foray forward from Sparta might prove the difference in the end when Conor Masterson tripped Youssouf Dao in the box with time ticking away.   Ward had other ideas, and produced a brilliant penalty stop from Placsic to keep the scores level at Prenton Park.   The young forward had his moment five minutes from time, though, sending a deflected effort beyond the Reds 'keeper to clinch all three points for the visitors.   Liverpool U23s: Ward, Masterson, L. Jones, Johnston, Kane (Virtue, 73), Ejaria, Wilson, Dhanda (Brewster, 73), Woodburn, Adekanye, Ings.   Unused subs: Kelleher, Alves, Parker, Brannagan.   © Copyright of official site Liverpool FC.

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MTK B (Budapest, Hungary)  2 - 5  Liverpool Under 23s

Tuesday 18 July 2017 18:0 Friendly Under 23s     MTK B Liverpool U 23s 2 - 5  (2-3) Budapest (Hungary) GOAL  Szerencsi 7, R Takacs 39  Phillips 11, J H Williams 29, T Gomes 34, Adekanye 46, 66       1  B Varga   -  Sagi   -  Attila Talaber   -  Zsombor Nagy   -  Martin Nagy   -  Levente Lustyik   -  Bayer   -  Soma Szuhodovszki   -  Andras Schafer   -  Ronald Takacs   -  Miklуs Szerencsi  Subs:   -  Botond Papp   -  Adam Schrammel   -  Gergely Sziklasi   -  Androsch   -  Pal Szekeres   -  Thiam   -  Varju   -  D Szabo   -  Toth   -  Szabolcs Varga   -  Kisari   1  Shamal George   -  Corey Whelan   -  Sam Hart   -  Nathaniel Phillips   -  Lloyd Jones   -  Michael Jordan Williams   -  Matthew Virtue-Thick   -  Cameron Brannagan   -  Toni Gomes   -  Yan Dhanda   -  Herbie Kane  Subs:  13  Andrew Firth   -  Liam Coyle   -  Mich'el Parker   -  Conor Masterson   -  Paulo Alves   -  Bobby Adekanye   -  Rhian Brewster   SUBSTITUTIONS  Talaber (Thiam 17)  Szuhodovszki (Sz Varga 59)  R Takacs (D Szabo 60)  M Nagy (Schrammel 60)  Szerencsi (Toth 74)  Zs Nagy (Sziklasi-Rock 74)  Lustyik (Varju-Crow 74)  Sagi (Szekeres79)  B Varga (Papp 79)  Whelan (Coyle 46)  Hart (Parker 46)  Phillips (Masterson 46)  L Jones (Brewster 46)  Virtue-Thick (Adekanye 46)  T Gomes (Alves 46)   OFFICIALS & BOOKINGS Referee:  Booked:  Booked: VENUE U 23s MANAGERS Hidegkuti Nandor Stadion (capacity 40,000) Attendance: Poloskei Gabor (MTK B) Neil Critchley (Liverpool)   Notes:   - MTK used home kits, all white.

Adekanye at the double as U23s win in Budapest   Bobby Adekanye scored twice as Liverpool U23s produced a superb display to beat MTK Budapest 5-2 in the opening game of their pre-season tour of Hungary on Tuesday evening.   Also on the mark for Neil Critchley's side were Toni Gomes, Jordan Williams and Nathaniel Phillips.   The young Reds were well looked after by their superb hosts and the Academy consider it an honour to have played at their Hidegkuti Nandor Stadion, which only opened last year.   Reflecting on the win, U23s boss Critchley told Liverpoolfc.com: "This was an ideal game for us from the stage we are at in pre-season.   "We played in a fantastic stadium with lovely facilities and we were well looked after by our hosts at MTK Budapest.   "They were competitive and aggressive and although we didn't start well we went on to have some really good moves and long spells of possession.   "Overall we are satisfied with the performance but as ever there are things to work on with the lads."   Liverpool U23s: George, Whelan (Coyle), Hart, Phillips (Parker), Jones (Masterson), Williams, Virtue (Alves), Brannagan, Gomes (Adekanye), Dhanda, Kane.   © Copyright of official site Liverpool FC.

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