Liverpool’s Under-19s opened their UEFA Youth League campaign in dominant fashion, securing a comfortable 5-2 win over the Paris Saint-Germain U19s.
Liverpool U19s 5-2 PSG U19s
UEFA Youth League Group Stage (1), Langtree Park
September 18, 2018
Goals: R. Williams 8’, Camacho 14’, 81′, Adekanye 38’, Jones 79′; C. Williams 75’, Kalimuendo (pen) 88′
Ahead of Liverpool’s Champions League opener at home to PSG on Tuesday night, the two sides’ U19s counterparts faced off in the UEFA Youth League.
With the young Reds’ clashes held at Langtree Park in St Helens this season, Barry Lewtas led his players out to a different backdrop, removed from Kirkby or Prenton Park.
Lewtas took over duties after Steven Gerrard‘s switch to Rangers, and he presides over a new-look squad this season.
On Tuesday, this saw of youth and experience, with the likes of Adam Lewis, Curtis Jones and Rafa Camacho all starting, as well as U18s captain and star striker Paul Glatzel.
Serving as a preview for the Group C meeting at Anfield later in the evening, Liverpool opened their European campaign with a convincing victory.
- Lewis, Jones and Camacho among starters for the U19s
- Williams and Camacho both net early as Liverpool dominate
- Adekanye trebles lead after great pressing play before the break
- Jones and Camacho trade strikes either side of PSG consolation
- Kalimuendo scores late penalty but Reds already home and dry
An energised home side came out the blocks intent on making an early statement, and it took only eight minutes to translate their early dominance to the scoreboard.
Central defender Rhys Williams rose the highest to meet Neco Williams‘ cross from the right flank, heading beyond the outreaching Pierre Onvry.
The youngster could have doubled the Reds’ lead and secured his second of the afternoon only minutes later after a scramble in the goalmouth left him free to take a swing, with only a late intervention delaying the inevitable.
The inevitable being a goal from Camacho, just shy of the 15-minute mark, in almost identical fashion to the opener.
Lewis’ whipped in-swinger into the box played on an apparent weakness from the French side, with the Liverpool winger comfortably heading home.
The young Reds continued to press and offer little breathing room for the visitors—who failed to mount a meaningful attack in the opening 45—as they continually peppered Onvry’s goal for much of the half.
Forward Paul Glatzel found the crossbar, while Camacho again found himself free in the penalty spot only to narrowly miss Neco Williams’ delivery to make it three.
But Bobby Adekanye added the third of the afternoon in the 38th minute by guiding the ball beyond the onrushing keeper—a play which was made possible by an exquisite precision pass from Jones.
While Liverpool ended the first half as dominant as they started, a more open start to the second period saw the young PSG side look to press further up the field—offering Liverpool’s defence their first real test of the clash.
The visitors managed to find the first breakthrough in the 75th minute after the first save of the afternoon from Vitezslav Jaros was parried straight into the path of Cawdy Williams.
Williams sent a powerful volley into the bottom corner from the edge of the box.
However, any hope the French side had of securing a memorable comeback was snuffed out only four minutes later as Lewis again turned provider, this time for Jones, who made room for himself on the 18-yard line to slot a low ball into the far corner.
Camacho then sealed the win by notching his second of the afternoon and Liverpool’s fifth, with a consolation penalty from Arnaud Kalimeundo closing out the thrilling encounter.
TIA Man of the Match: Adam Lewis
Referee: Alexander Harkam
Liverpool U19s: Jaros; N. Williams (Hoever 82′), R. Williams, Clayton, Lewis; Coyle (Clarkson 74′), Cain (Longstaff 74′), Jones; Adekanye (Larouci 61′), Camacho, Glatzel (Duncan 61′)
Subs not used: Kelly, McAuley
Next Match: Napoli U19s (A) – UEFA Youth League – October 3, 1pm
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