Paul Glatzel‘s second-half strike earned Liverpool Under 23s a hard-earned 1-0 win away to West Ham U23s on Monday night, seeing the young Reds jump two places in Premier League 2.
West Ham U23s 0-1 Liverpool U23s
Premier League 2, Chigwell Construction Stadium
February 18, 2019
Goals: Glatzel 77′
The U23s were back in league action looking to make progress in the table and stop of a run of six draws in seven matches.
Neil Critchley made three alterations to the team that drew 0-0 at Burnley in the Premier League Cup last time out.
Shamal George replaced Caoimhin Kelleher in goal, while Isaac Christie-Davies and Curtis Jones came in for Abdi Sharif and Bobby Duncan.
In-form Glatzel, captain of Liverpool’s U18s, made his second start for the U23s two days short of his 18th birthday.
- Neil Critchley makes three changes; Paul Glatzel retains place
- Goalless at the break after forgettable first-half
- Glatzel fires Reds in front in the 77th minute
- Much-needed win sees Liverpool rise to fifth in the table
West Ham made a positive start at the Chigwell Construction Stadium and Dan Kemp’s dangerous cross just evaded a host of players.
Glatzel burst through but couldn’t find Glen McAuley in acres of space for a tap-in, as both sides looked lively early on.
Mesaque Dju went down inside the area but nothing was given – a penalty would have been an extremely soft decision.
Alfie Lewis dragged a long-range effort harmlessly wide of George’s post and it was the hosts who looked the more likely to open the scoring.
There was another penalty appeal from West Ham after George Johnston appeared to handle the ball, but their protests were waved away.
Ajibola Alese was fortunate not to receive a second yellow card, leaving Liverpool the team feeling aggrieved this time.
The Reds offered little in an attacking sense as the first-half progressed, barring a Rhys Williams attempt that was blocked.
It took until the 36th minute for either goalkeeper to make a save, with George catching confidently from Kemp’s driven attempt.
Glatzel was close to putting the Reds 1-0 up shortly before half-time, but Kristijan Belic made a vital last-ditch challenge.
The second half had a similarly forgettable flow to it initially, as Liverpool looked increasingly like recording a seventh draw in eight games.
Jones had the visitors’ first shot on target before the hour mark but it never threatened to find the net. The silky midfielder was below-par throughout.
There were clear signs of Critchley’s youngsters upping their game in the final quarter and they got the breakthrough with 13 minutes left.
Glatzel couldn’t miss from a couple of yards out, tapping home from substitute Abdi Sharif’s low cross to bag his 23rd goal of a superb season.
Johnston, Glatzel and Connor Randall and McAuley all came close to doubling the lead – McAuley hit the post in the dying seconds – but it didn’t matter as Liverpool held on to rise to fifth in Premier League 2.
It was a much-needed win, in what hopefully signals the start of a strong end to the season.
TIA Man of the Match: Paul Glatzel
Liverpool U23s: George, Randall, R.Williams, Johnston, Juanma, Coyle, Christie-Davies, Lewis (Larouci 66′), McAuley, Jones (Sharif 74′), Glatzel (Duncan 85′).
Subs not used: Atherton, Gallacher.
Next Match: Bournemouth (A) – Premier League Cup – Monday, February 24, 1pm (GMT)
Fan Comments