Young Liverpool wingers Harry Wilson and Ryan Kent stole the show as Michael Beale’s U23s thrashed Rhyl FC in pre-season.
After their tour of Germany, Liverpool returned to the UK to take on Welsh Premier League side Rhyl at the Belle Vue.
Beale named a strong lineup that included trialist Juanma in defence, with the youngster joining Lloyd Jones, Corey Whelan and Tom Brewitt in shielding Caoimhin Kelleher‘s goal.
Adam Phillips was joined by Matty Virtue in midfield, with Beale deploying his side in a 4-2-3-1 formation.
Supporting Jack Dunn up front were Kent, Wilson and Brooks Lennon, with the young Reds in a strong position to dominate from the first whistle.
Kent, Wilson and Lennon all came close in the opening stages, looking to let fly whenever possible, with Kent hitting the crossbar minutes before Wilson opened the scoring.
Liverpool had struck the woodwork again shortly after, with Virtue’s powerful shot thundering against the post.
Lennon made it 2-0 minutes later, with the American sending a headed effort beyond goalkeeper Michael Askew.
Wilson and Jones both had opportunities around the half-hour mark, before Kent got his name on the scoresheet, rounding Askew and slotting the ball into the back of the net.
With the young Reds cruising at 3-0 up, Beale sent on Kane Lewis, Joe Maguire, Toni Gomes and another trialist, Nathan Phillips, for the second half.
Liverpool continued to impress, with Rhyl having their first shot on goal after the hour mark, but another substitute, Sam Hart, made it 4-0 with a strong effort.
Rhyl pulled one back before full-time, but Beale’s side ended the contest as comfortable victors.
After a draw and a loss in their two clashes in Germany, this result marks a positive step for the Liverpool U23s—and particularly for Wilson, coming back from long-term injury.
Meanwhile, Kent’s presence in Beale’s squad suggests the 19-year-old won’t play a role under Jurgen Klopp for 2016/17.
The Englishman has been tipped to leave the club on loan this summer, with Barnsley his most likely destination.
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