The league campaign is now over for the Liverpool under-18s, producing a 3-1 victory over Newcastle in their final game as Calum Scanlon shone.
Liverpool U18s 3-1 Newcastle U18s
U18 Premier League, AXA Training Centre
April 28, 2023
Goals: McConnell 1′, Koumas 6′, Gift 53′; Pitt OG 77′
In their league closer, the young Reds were clearly eager to impress, and it took less than 50 seconds for Liverpool to grab their first goal.
It came before Newcastle had a meaningful touch of the ball, with a sweeping team move finding Scanlon’s bursting run, the left-back lofting in a cross which James McConnell headed home.
McConnell then sent Lewis Koumas through with his first chance of the game, and though he was snuffed out that time, a long ball from Scanlon allowed the striker to make it 2-0 with just six minutes on the clock.
Liverpool grew quieter as the half wore on, despite still threatening with the pace of Koumas and Keyrol Figueroa and the strength of Jayden Danns.
The visitors had a golden opportunity on the cusp of half-time after two mistakes from Luca Furnell-Gill, but his centre-back partner Lucas Pitt made a vital block to retain Liverpool’s two-goal lead.
HT: Liverpool U18s 2-0 Newcastle U18s
There was a double change at the break as Elijah Gift replaced Figueroa on the right wing and Kerron Samuels took over from Furnell-Gill at centre-back.
It took Gift just seven minutes to net his goal, with McConnell’s fine pass into the channel seeing the Spanish winger drift onto it and, after a run down the byline, he finished with his left.
Scanlon was a standout, both in keeping attacks at bay and offering a constant outlet with his forward bursts, the 18-year-old growing into his body like a left-sided Trent Alexander-Arnold.
There would be no clean sheet, though, as Pitt turned a low cross beyond Luke Hewitson and in for an unwelcome own goal for the under-16s defender.
A 3-1 win leaves Liverpool in sixth, though they could finish as low as eighth if other results go against them over the next week.
Next up for the young Reds are friendlies against Leicester and Tottenham, before a post-season tournament in Zurich.
TIA Man of the Match: Calum Scanlon
Liverpool U18s: Hewitson; Miles, Furnell-Gill (Samuels 46′), Pitt, Scanlon; Davidson, McConnell, Kelly (Pennington 62′); Figueroa (Gift 46′), Danns, Koumas
Subs not used: Trueman, Gyimah
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