Liverpool U21s began their season with an impressive 3-1 victory over Man City U21s. Despite missing several key players due to expected transfers, coach Barry Lewtas’ side put on a strong performance.
The U21s match was part of a busy day for Liverpool’s various age groups. While the first team traveled to Ipswich and the U18s faced Derby, the U21s took on Man City with a depleted squad. Goalkeepers Marcelo Pitaluga and Jakub Ojrzynski, defenders Rhys Williams, Owen Beck, and Calum Scanlon, midfielders Bobby Clark, Stefan Bajcetic, Tyler Morton, and James McConnell, and forwards Ben Doak, Kaide Gordon, and Harvey Blair were all absent.
Of the absent players, only Bajcetic and Morton trained with the senior squad ahead of their win against Ipswich. However, both players are also expected to leave the club this summer on temporary and permanent deals respectively. Lewtas was also without James Balagizi and Oakley Cannonier, although it is unclear if they will also depart. Trey Nyoni, on the other hand, traveled with the first team to Portman Road.
Despite the absences, Liverpool’s U21s delivered an excellent performance, securing a 3-1 victory over Man City. The team featured an experienced lineup, including 21-year-olds Dominic Corness, Tom Hill, and James Norris, who all found the back of the net.
Although the starting lineup had six teenagers, such as 17-year-olds Amara Nallo and Kieran Morrison, there was also a notable return from injury. Lee Jonas, 20, made his first appearance in nine-and-a-half months.
Hill had a strong start to the game, coming close to scoring twice early on as Man City attempted to play out from the back. Corness eventually opened the scoring with an assist from Norris. Man City managed to equalize before halftime through Jacob Wright, but Hill quickly regained the lead with a skillful move and a goal into the roof of the net. Corness then provided the assist for Norris to secure the third goal with a whipped corner.
Overall, it was a productive start for the U21s, despite the focus being on the absent players. Most of them are expected to play in a behind-closed-doors friendly, along with Sepp van den Berg and Nat Phillips. However, Clark is nearing a £10 million move to Red Bull Salzburg, where he will reunite with former Liverpool coaches Pepijn Lijnders and Vitor Matos.
While the U21s celebrated their victory, the U18s did not fare as well, suffering a 5-1 defeat against Derby. However, 16-year-old Josh Sonni-Lambie managed to score a goal for Liverpool.
The next match for the U21s is against PSV Eindhoven in the PL International Cup on Wednesday, August 21, at 7 pm (GMT).