AcademyLiverpool U21s beat Blackburn as Jürgen Klopp watches on

Klopp was joined by Pepijn Lijnders, Vitor Matos and John Achterberg on the sidelines as Barry Lewtas’ side dominated Saturday’s Premier League 2 match at the Academy.

Blackburn goalkeeper Aidan Dowling was in superb form to frustrate the young Reds for long spells, but he was finally beaten by Woltman with 72 minutes on the clock as Liverpool claimed their first victory of the new season.

Jarell Quansah hit the post early on before Dowling’s excellent save blocked an effort from Oakley Cannonier, who started in place of the suspended Layton Stewart.

The visitors did pose an attacking threat of their own, though, and Harvey Davies made fine stops to deny Sam Burns and Jared Harlock before half-time.

The pressure on Rovers’ goal continued to grow after the break and Dowling was twice required to prevent Liverpool captain Jake Cain scoring from free-kicks.

Dowling then thwarted Lee Jonas from a corner but Blackburn’s resistance was broken 18 minutes from time.

Jack Bearne’s shot was charged down after good work from Isaac Mabaya, but James Norris won the loose ball and fed a lovely pass into Woltman, with the forward firing in a calm left-footed finish.

Lewtas’ team could have increased their advantage further but Dowling produced two more impressive saves to frustrate Harvey Blair and Woltman.

Liverpool U21s: Davies, Mabaya (Stephenson, 76), Quansah, Jonas, Chambers, Bajcetic (Corness, 46), Cain, Frauendorf (Bearne, 65), Clark (Norris, 46), Woltman, Cannonier (Blair, 76).