AcademyU18s match report: Liverpool lose eight-goal Premier League Cup thriller to Arsenal

The Gunners raced into a three-goal lead during the first half of Wednesday’s Group G encounter at the Academy, before Josh Sonni-Lambie pulled one back from the penalty spot.

Louis Enahoro-Marcus reduced the deficit to one with a quarter of the match remaining but a flurry of late goals included two more for Arsenal that sandwiched just one for the Reds.

A bright start by Liverpool in Kirkby saw Afolami Onanuga and Joe Bradshaw threaten in the early stages, and Kareem Ahmed was later thwarted by goalkeeper Jack Porter at his near post after a burst into the box.

The hosts next carved out a great opportunity. Bradshaw broke clear down the right and opted to pass rather than shoot, but his square delivery was cut out by a defender before it could reach intended target Sonni-Lambie.

It was a pivotal moment, because the visitors, managed by former Gunners midfielder Jack Wilshere, would soon score three times in quick succession.

Andre Annous was the provider of the opening goal, tapping in a rebound after Bailey Hall spilled an effort from Ceadach O’Neill.

Arsenal dominated in the aftermath and could have netted before Dan Casey did double their advantage 10 minutes before half-time, converting a spot-kick after Harry Evers fouled O’Neill.

And the young Reds’ frustrations were compounded within minutes, as Annous once again pounced on a rebound, scoring at the second attempt once O’Neill had clattered a fine shot against the post.

Marc Bridge-Wilkinson’s side did, however, give themselves a lifeline ahead of the break. Sonni-Lambie was fouled in the other box and stepped up to dispatch an emphatic penalty himself.

Liverpool’s hopes of a turnaround were enhanced a little under 20 minutes into the second half, courtesy of Enahoro-Marcus.

Bradshaw’s free-kick from the right flank was met by a Lucas Pitt header that struck the bar and bounced kindly for Enahoro-Marcus to head home and make it 2-3.

But, with 70 on the clock, Arsenal caught the home side on the counter-attack with their fourth goal. Max Dowman’s pass sprung Brando Bailey-Joseph on the left wing, and he stylishly moved into the area and found the far corner of Hall’s net.

The Reds responded again and made it 3-4 with 15 minutes to go, Onanuga driving beyond two challenges to hit the box and finding the target with the benefit of a deflection.

DJ Esdaille almost teed up a stunning leveller with a good cross that narrowly evaded Bradshaw in the middle, and Arsenal finally ended the contest as Dowman raced in and finished into the bottom corner in the 84th minute.

TEAM

Hall, Esdaille, Evers (Williams, 89), Pitt, Enahoro-Marcus, Lonmeni (Cisse, 72), Ahmed (Forrester, 46), O’Connor, Sonni-Lambie, Onanuga, Bradshaw.

Unused subs: Bernard, Murray-Holme.

NEXT UP

Bridge-Wilkinson’s side head to Manchester United for an U18 Premier League North contest on Saturday (August 31). Kick-off is 11am BST and the game will be live on LFCTV GO.

Their next U18 Premier League Cup assignment is a trip to Crystal Palace on Saturday October 5 (12pm BST).