AcademyU18s match report: Liverpool score seven in league win at Middlesbrough

Marc Bridge-Wilkinson's side raced into an early advantage at Rockliffe Park as they aimed to respond to a pair of heavy defeats previously.

Kareem Ahmed put the Reds in front just shy of the quarter-hour mark and then set up Josh Sonni-Lambie to double the lead in minute 23.

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Liverpool goalkeeper Bailey Hall made a couple of saves in the aftermath to deny the home team, whose challenge in the game was increased when Oliver Martin received a straight red card.

Cam Williams immediately supplied a third for the visitors from another Ahmed assist, though their ascendancy would be clipped either side of half-time.

Eric Hamelberg struck to give Boro a lifeline and they reduced their deficit to one prior to the hour mark; Cruz Ibeh was fouled by Louis Enahoro-Marcus inside the box and stepped up himself to convert the penalty kick.

The Reds quickly responded, however, and a pair of Oliver O'Connor efforts – the first bringing up a hat-trick of Ahmed assists – eradicated any concerns of the Middlesbrough comeback being completed.

And there was still time for Bridge-Wilkinson's charges to help themselves to sixth and seventh goals, Harvey Owen's header from a corner followed by a finish from substitute Tyler Martin.

"It was really pleasing and a good performance overall," Bridge-Wilkinson told Liverpoolfc.com post-match.

"Obviously it helped when they went down to 10 men but before that we were a couple of goals up so I thought we played well, the team played together and we got our rewards today.

"We could have had a few more as we hit the woodwork and missed some good opportunities, but it was really pleasing the amount of chances we did create today."

Team

Liverpool: Hall, Esdaille, Williams, Owen, Enahoro-Marcus, Upton (Airoboma, 81), O'Connor, Ayman (Bradshaw, 63), Sonni-Lambie, Onanuga (Martin, 73), Ahmed (Lonmeni, 74).

Unused sub: Bernard.

Next up

The U18s travel to Stoke City on Saturday (April 26) for their penultimate fixture of 2024-25. Kick-off at Clayton Wood is 11am BST.