Match reportLiverpool score seven in FA Youth Cup victory over Arsenal
Lewis Koumas scored a hat-trick and Trent Kone-Doherty and Jayden Danns each struck twice as Liverpool advanced in the FA Youth Cup with a stunning 7-1 win over Arsenal.
The teams traded a goal apiece in the opening quarter-hour at the Kirkby Academy, with Koumas’ clinical strike for the Reds equalised by Ethan Nwaneri.
But a flurry of goals either side of the interval saw Liverpool surge to a hugely impressive result, Koumas’ second finish of the evening followed by a Kone-Doherty double.
Danns added his name to the scoresheet with an opportunistic long-range finish and then brought up a half-dozen by swerving home a fine free-kick, before Koumas completed the scoring a minute from the end.
Marc Bridge-Wilkinson’s charges now move forward to round five and another home tie, against either Swansea City or Fulham.
There was intent from both sides right from kick-off and Kieran Morrison headed off target in the fourth minute after a Kone-Doherty cross.
And Liverpool grabbed the lead with just nine on the clock. Again Kone-Doherty had Arsenal defenders on their heels and when his centre bobbled inside the box, Danns smartly teed up Koumas for an emphatic, rising finish.
The visitors’ confident play was unchanged, though, and within moments of Kornel Misciur having to make a careful save, they levelled.
Ben Trueman was the victim of the Gunners’ high press, with Nwaneri claiming the ball from him at the edge of the area and placing an assured finish into the left corner.
Next, Osman Kamara miscontrolled yards from goal when found by a cross, before on 26 minutes a Reds rescue act prevented them falling behind.
Nwaneri burst into the box and unselfishly rolled it square to Chido Obi-Martin, who was denied by a brave Misciur block and beaten to the rebound by Josh Davidson’s clearing header via the crossbar.
This would prove to be the defining passage of the tie, as Liverpool promptly netted twice in quick succession.
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In the 31st minute it was the Reds’ high press that gained reward, Trey Nyoni turning over possession and Koumas guiding a low curler into the bottom right corner from around 20 yards.
That restored lead was doubled four minutes later. Amara Nallo’s lofted pass into the channel was flicked on dangerously by Koumas with his chest for Kone-Doherty, who moved in from the left and swept a cool finish in at the near side.
Arsenal continued to play their football and create threats to the Liverpool goal – but another rapid series of strikes put the game beyond them.
On 51, Nyoni delivered an outstanding pass from inside his own half that freed Koumas to dribble into the opposition area. His hit was blocked but Kone-Doherty was there to drag the ball inside the right post.
Danns then joined the two-goal club, first capitalising on a loose touch at the back and, having spotted the goalkeeper out of his box, threading in a low shot from long distance.
And, just past the hour mark, the No.9 bettered even that instinctive piece of technique when he whistled a fantastic 25-yard free-kick from a central position into the top right corner.
With the damage now done, the action slowly petered out as time ticked away – but after a late save stopped Danns from achieving a hat-trick, Koumas got his treble by pouncing on some defensive hesitation and poking in a finish.
TEAM
Misciur, Davidson, Pinnington, Lucky, Nallo, B. Trueman (Laffey, 78), Kone-Doherty, Morrison, Danns, Nyoni, Koumas (Figueroa, 89).
Unused subs: Morana, Pitt, Gyimah, Pennington, Furnell-Gill.
NEXT UP
Next on the schedule for Liverpool U18s is a league clash away at Nottingham Forest, to be played on Saturday January 27 (kick-off 12.30pm GMT).
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