AcademyCannonier scores hat-trick as Liverpool U21s beat Hull in friendly

Cannonier's three efforts mixed with goals from Tommy Pilling and Billy Koumetio to see the Reds continue their pre-season preparations in winning fashion.

It took just five minutes for Barry Lewtas' outfit to create the opening chance of the game, as James Norris played in Mateusz Musialowski down the left side, though the attacker was denied by an excellent point-blank save.

Liverpool struck in the 12th minute following their early domination, Luca Stephenson's ball over the defence leaving Pilling to break the deadlock thanks to a well-worked touch and finish.

Cannonier then added to the score a short while later as good play down the left led Francis Gyimah to find the striker inside the box for his first of the afternoon.

Musialowski saw his free-kick whistle over the crossbar with the Reds threatening again, but it was Cannonier who once more found the back of the net on the stroke of half-time.

Trent Kone-Doherty provided the inspiration this time, beating three players on the right ahead of finding his teammate, who finished off the move emphatically from the right side of the area.

In the opposite box, goalkeeper Vitezslav Jaros produced a strong reaction save to deny the visitors, ensuring his clean sheet was left intact ahead of being replaced by Marcelo Pitaluga at the interval.

Isaac Mabaya also returned from injury as a substitute shortly after the hour mark.

Cannonier almost had his hat-trick as the second period continued, seeing his clever flick fall inches wide of the post after more good wing play from Kone-Doherty.

Liverpool, however, added a fourth through Koumetio 13 minutes from time as he finished off an inch-perfect cross from Norris.

Cannonier wasn't to be denied late on, though, bagging his third following great work from Mabaya, who pulled the ball back for the forward to complete his hat-trick and the scoring.

Liverpool U21s: Jaros (Pitaluga, 45), Miles (Mabaya, 65), Gyimah (Osborne, 78), Pinnington (Spearing, 65), Koumetio, Stephenson, Kone-Doherty, Pilling, Cannonier, Norris, Musialowski.