Match reportLiverpool U18s beat Port Vale in pre-season friendly

Joe Bradshaw, Louis Enahoro-Marcus, Afolami Onanuga, Scofield Lonmeni and Josh Sonni-Lambie were all on target in Kirkby for the young Reds.

The visitors took the lead after five minutes of the contest, though Liverpool turned the game around and were ahead before the half-hour mark.

Kieran Morrison was the provider for the initial leveller, cutting inside past three defenders to provide Bradshaw a tap-in to equalise.

The goalscorer was then involved a short while later, seeing a shot blocked alongside Onanuga before Enahoro-Marcus pounced at close range to net.

Three minutes into the second half, the Reds added to the scoreline again with Morrison recording another assist; Onanuga was on hand on this occasion to fire home following a brilliant run.

The visitors reduced the deficit with 25 minutes remaining, but Marc Bridge-Wilkinson’s outfit restored their two-goal advantage once more, scoring via Lonmeni after a fine solo run and finish.

Port Vale then found the back of the net twice in quick succession to leave the game all square in the latter stages. However, Sonni-Lambie provided the decisive strike in minute 85, converting an Oliver O’Connor cross from the left.

Liverpool U18s: Hall, Pitt, Ewing (Evers, 60), Enahoro-Marcus (Furnell-Gill, 60), Pinnington, Esdaille (Lonmeni, 60), Morrison (Bradshaw, 80), Onanuga (O’Connor, 60), Sonni-Lambie, Ahmed (Onanuga, 77), Bradshaw (Cowley, 60).