Liverpool u18s were involved in a fantastic game at the Academy this morning, as five different players got on the scoresheet in a 5-3 win over West Brom. Charlie Barnett gave the reds the lead after 5 minutes with a deflected effort from 18 yards, but the Baggies hit back two minutes later to level the scores.
On 13 minutes Albion's impressive striker Stuart Nicholson gave the visitors the lead, but John Owens' side were level within a minute. A fine move involving over a dozen passes eventually saw Paul Barratt go through to beat the keeper to the ball and finish to make it 2-2.
A rare goal from defender Stephen Darby put the reds in front on the half hour, as he glanced in a header from a Barnett corner, and James Frayne made it 4-2 with a superb run and shot into the bottom corner four minutes later.
The remarkable run of goals wasn't over though, as Nicholson's stunning shot on 36 minutes reduced the lead to a single goal once more. 4-3 at half time, although there were so many chances it could have been 10-9.
The second half wasn't as eventful, but there were still plenty of chances for both sides. There was only one goal after the break, and it was scored by the reds through Conal Platt. The striker was outstanding in the second half, and fully deserved his goal.
He started the move himself by turning on halfway and releasing Barnett down the right. Charlie got to the line and pulled back a fantastic cross which Platt finished well.
The defending from the reds in the first half wasn't great, but the overall quality of the performance was very high and there were some excellent individual performances all over the pitch.
A full report will appear on here some time tomorrow.
