AcademyU21s match report: Liverpool beat Man City with goals from Kone-Doherty and Williams

Kone-Doherty opened the scoring at the Kirkby Academy with a composed finish in the 61st minute, and Williams' header from a free-kick in the final quarter of an hour made sure the points stayed on Merseyside.

Another positive from the afternoon for the Reds was Isaac Mabaya making his return from long-term injury, stepping off the bench to help close out the win.

Speaking post-match, U21s head coach Barry Lewtas told Liverpoolfc.com: "I thought we were brilliant. I thought we were brilliant out of possession, in the second half we were able to get closer to them and we created some real good chances.

"We were unfortunate not to have a couple of penalties, we had efforts cleared off the line, the goalkeeper saved one, but then we got the two goals. So from an idea of us trying to create and be a threat, I was really pleased.

"They were a real good team and we were up against real good players, a team with a real identity in how they wanted to play. It'll go down as a real good win."

On Mabaya, Lewtas added: "It's obviously a positive for him. He's had his injury issues and he's been training for a while now. We just want to make sure that we're giving him the right opportunity to get back playing, finish the season with us, but obviously really kick-start into next season as well.

"It was brilliant to get him on and we put him on in a really important part of the game as well. He'll be over the moon."

TEAM

Liverpool U21s: Mrozek, Nallo, Pinnington, Williams, Miles, Davidson, Spearing, Laffey, Gordon (Pennington, 90+4), Koumas (Frauendorf, 87), Kone-Doherty (Mabaya, 83).

Unused substitutes: O. Kelly, Furnell-Gill.

NEXT UP

Lewtas' side return to action on April 6 (12pm BST kick-off) when they travel to Blackburn Rovers in Premier League 2.