Post-Match Report

U-23s: Liverpool 4-1 Arsenal - How it happened

Liverpool Under 23 -

Liverpool FC Academy
Premier League 2 - Division One
Premier League 2 - Division One
  Liverpool Under 23
      
              Markovic (9)
               Camacho (44)
               Millar (74
               76)
          
   crest
Liverpool Under 23
Markovic (9) Camacho (44) Millar (74 76)
4 1
  Arsenal U23
      
                  John-Jules (10)
            
   crest
Arsenal U23
John-Jules (10)

WHAT HAPPENED 

Despite a promising first-half performance, we were beaten 4-1 by Liverpool in the Premier League 2 on Saturday.

Ben Sheaf made his return from injury, while 17-year-olds Bukayo Saka and Tyreece John-Jules were tasked with leading the line.

It was the hosts who opened the scoring inside 10 minutes when Lazar Markovic found the back of the net from a tight angle, but their lead would last just 60 seconds.

We applied pressure on the Liverpool defence straight from kick-off - and after working the ball into their box, John-Jules fired past Kamil Grabara from close range to level the scores. 

Shortly after the young striker fired at goal following a fluid counter-attack, but his driven effort was blocked and cleared to safety.

Charlie Gilmour’s deflected strike then sailed past the post, before Grabara made a stunning save to deny Saka from close range.

We continued to dominate play and create a wealth of chances, but on the stroke of half-time, Rafael Camacho restored the hosts’ lead.

Isaac Christie-Davies latched onto a long ball and picked out the Portuguese midfielder, who made no mistake in firing home from inside the box.

Following the break we continued to enjoy the greater share of possession, only this time we were struggling to unlock their defence.

There were calls for a penalty when Saka went down inside the six-yard box, but just moments later Neil Critchley’s side doubled their advantage.

Camacho beat our offside trap and squared the ball to substitute Liam Millar, who applied the finishing touch - and less than two minutes later he scored his second of the afternoon after racing in on goal and firing into the bottom corner. 

Saka and John-Jules continued to threaten up until the final whistle, but there was no way back. 

WHAT IT MEANS

PL2 table

WHAT’S NEXT

Next up is a PL2 clash with Blackburn Rovers on Monday, December 17.

The game will take place at Meadow Park with kick-off at 7pm (UK time)

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