Liverpool U21s fought back from 2-0 down to book a place in the Premier League 2 quarter-finals, with two-goal Kaide Gordon their inspiration in attack.
Liverpool U21s 3-2 Crystal Palace U21s
PL2 Round of 16, AXA Training Centre
May 5, 2024
Goals: Gordon 57′ 59′, Nyoni 61′; Mathurin pen 36′, Watson 44′
After the end of the normal campaign, the U21s league splits into a 16-team playoff format to determine the eventual champions.
Liverpool, who finished eighth, were pitted against ninth-placed Crystal Palace, who visited the AXA Training Centre for their last-16 tie on Sunday.
It looked to be a difficult afternoon for the young Reds, without both Bobby Clark and Jayden Danns through injury and Stefan Bajcetic on first-team duty.
That was compounded by Palace taking a two-goal lead before half-time, with Roshaun Mathurin converting their second penalty after Fabian Mrozek stopped an earlier effort and Noah Watson then making it 2-0.
But an inspired showing in the second half, which included a brace from Gordon, turned the clash on its head and set Liverpool on for victory.
Gordon, wearing the No. 7 shirt, reduced the deficit by bundling home after excellent work from Melkamu Frauendorf at right-back and Tommy Pilling in midfield.
His second was outstanding, curling home from long range after being found by Lewis Koumas outside the area.
The 19-year-old then teed up the third for Trey Nyoni, Gordon laying it across for the young midfielder to bend an effort beyond Palace goalkeeper Joe Whitworth for 3-2.
There were more chances for both sides, while cramp looked to set in for Liverpool as they held on for a spot in the quarter-finals, player-coach Jay Spearing coming on to shore things up.
And after another strong save from Mrozek late on, the young Reds welcomed the final whistle and a last-eight tie against Tottenham or Aston Villa.
Liverpool U21s: Mrozek; Frauendorf (Spearing 79′), Pinnington, Nallo, Davidson; McConnell (Blair 85′), Pilling, Nyoni; Morrison, Koumas, Gordon
Subs not used: O.Kelly, Laffey, K.Kelly
Next match: Tottenham (A) – PL2 Quarter-Final – May 10-13 TBC
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