Paul Glatzel scored his sixth and seventh goals of the season as the Liverpool U18s sealed a 4-3 victory away to Blackburn Rovers on Saturday morning.
Blackburn U18s 3-4 Liverpool U18s
U18 Premier League, Blackburn Rovers Training Centre
September 22, 2018
Goals: Connell 46′, Brennan 54′, Burns 84′; Glatzel 40′, 75′, Duncan 79′, O’Rourke 90+2′
After the majority of his squad took part in the UEFA Youth League thrashing of Paris Saint-Germain on Tuesday, Barry Lewtas was charged with retaining focus in the U18 Premier League.
Five of those to start at the Totally Wicked Stadium in midweek kept their places for Saturday’s trip to Lancashire, those being Glatzel, Vitezslav Jaros, Neco Williams, Rhys Williams and Jake Cain.
Ki-Jana Hoever was among those brought in, with the young Dutch centre-back in line for a major push after receiving international clearance, as he made his second consecutive league start.
The first half was fairly even between the two sides, but Glatzel got the U18s off the mark with the opening goal on 40 minutes.
This gave Liverpool momentum going into the break, while title rivals Everton held a 2-0 lead over Man City in their league clash 40 miles down the M61.
Kyle Connell turned the game on its head after half-time, first beating Jaros for the equaliser a minute into the second half, and then turning provider for Luke Brennan soon after for 2-1.
But Luis Longstaff teed up Glatzel to level the scores with 15 minutes to play, before his strike partner Bobby Duncan restored Liverpool’s advantage with an effort of his own.
A late leveller from Blackburn midfielder Sam Burns looked to have ensured a disappointing share of the points, with Lewtas already having withdrawn Glatzel on a hat-trick.
However, Glatzel’s replacement, 16-year-old striker Fidel O’Rourke, was on hand to fire home a late, late winner to build on his brace in the U18s’ 4-1 win over Newcastle United last time out.
With Everton winning 3-0 in Manchester courtesy of Keiran Phillips’ treble, Liverpool’s three points were not enough to lift them to the Premier League summit.
They remain second, three points behind their city rivals and two ahead of Man United, with the young Reds’ next league game coming at home to City on October 6.
TIA Man of the Match: Paul Glatzel
Liverpool U18s: Jaros; N.Williams, Hoever, R.Williams, Larouci; Dixon-Bonner; Clarkson (Clayton 63′), Cain (Ritaccio 90+3′), Longstaff; Glatzel (O’Rourke 83′), Duncan
Subs not used: B.Williams
Next Match: Stoke (A) – Premier League Cup – September 29, 11am
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