Dann’s Goal and Bajcetic’s Comeback Propel LFC U21’s to Victory against Man United
Liverpool U21s secured an impressive 3-0 victory against their rivals Man United U21s at Old Trafford, thanks to a stunning goal from Jayden Danns and the return of Stefan Bajcetic from injury. The Premier League 2 clash took place on April 12, 2024, and showcased the talent and determination of Liverpool’s young team.
The match started without Bajcetic, who is gradually working his way back to full fitness. However, manager Barry Lewtas fielded a strong side, including three senior goalscorers in Danns, Lewis Koumas, and Kaide Gordon. The Reds wasted no time in launching their attack, with Gordon coming close to scoring just seven minutes into the game, as his shot hit the inside of the post before bouncing across the goal.
In the 23rd minute, Danns showcased his physicality and supplied Trent Kone-Doherty with a pass at the back post. Although Kone-Doherty took too many touches initially, he made no mistake on his second chance after Danns’ brilliant footwork led to a shot that was parried away by the goalkeeper. The 17-year-old Irishman capitalized on the rebound and tapped the ball into the net.
As the game progressed, Kone-Doherty moved out to the right side, allowing Gordon to have a more influential role in a central attacking midfield position. With Liverpool’s enthusiastic away supporters cheering them on, Lewtas’ side maintained control throughout the match. The breakthrough for the second goal came when Bajcetic won back possession for the Reds, leading to a brilliant strike from Gordon outside the box.
In the 77th minute, it was Danns’ turn to shine. Despite intense pressure from two defenders, he displayed incredible awareness and control to backheel the ball past the Man United goalkeeper. This goal showcased Danns’ potential for the first team and he received applause when he was substituted soon after. Harvey Blair and Melkamu Frauendorf replaced Danns and Koumas, respectively.
The only downside of the game was the injury suffered by Isaac Mabaya, who had just returned from his own injury. Mabaya’s frustration was evident as he kicked the advertising hoardings and held his head in despair. Despite this setback, the night was a resounding success for the U21s, who managed to achieve what the first team had failed to do in recent weeks – win at Old Trafford.
The lineup for the match was as follows: Mrozek; Nallo, Williams, Pinnington, Miles (Mabaya 59′); Davidson, Pilling; Kone-Doherty (Bajcetic 59′), Gordon, Koumas (Frauendorf 82′); Danns (Blair 82′). The next match for Liverpool U21s is against Sunderland in the Premier League 2 on April 22 at 7 pm (BST).
In conclusion, Liverpool U21s showcased their talent and determination with a resounding 3-0 victory against Man United U21s at Old Trafford. Jayden Danns’ stunning goal and Stefan Bajcetic’s successful comeback from injury were key factors in the team’s success. This win at Old Trafford demonstrated the potential of Liverpool’s young players and their ability to perform at a high level.