Lennon and Brannagan strike as U21s beat Celtic
Brooks Lennon scored his first goal in a red shirt and Cameron Brannagan was also on the mark as Liverpool U21s beat Celtic 2-0 in the Premier U21 League International Cup at Chester's Lookers Vauxhall Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
With both sides having lost their opening two games in the group, pride was at stake - and it was a good day for Michael Beale's youngsters as they returned to winning ways.
In a fixture contested in the midst of a heavy downpour, the Reds fielded the likes of Joao Carlos Teixeira, Connor Randall and Brannagan.
Teixeira and Randall were outstanding during the opening 45 minutes as they provided great attacking threat down both flanks.
Jerome Sinclair and Brannagan missed good opportunities, while Harry Wilson was a constant menace on the right.
Wilson could easily have won a penalty just before the break when he went down under a heavy challenge, but the referee waved play on.
Beale's charges almost took the lead on 70 minutes from a well-worked corner when Pedro Chirivella fired over the top after being picked out by the inventive Teixeira.
American youngster Lennon made his debut for the U18s against Everton last weekend, and he came on for his U21s bow when he replaced Sinclair.
Lennon was to have a major say in the outcome. The lively forward twice came close, before breaking the deadlock on 86 minutes with a good finish after nice work down the right from Corey Whelan and Wilson.
Two minutes later, a sensational run from Madger Gomes from inside his own half ended with him being sent flying in the penalty area by Jack Breslin.
Brannagan, who made an appearance from the bench for the first team in Sion on Thursday, made no mistake from the spot with an emphatic finish.
More magic from Teixeira almost created a third goal but Lennon was unfortunate to see his effort come crashing back off the bar.
Overall it was a deserved victory with a lot of positives for Beale and his squad to take.
Liverpool U21s: Fulton, Randall (Whelan 60), Hart, Cleary, Brewitt, Chirivella, Wilson, Brannagan, Sinclair (Lennon 68), O'Hanlon (M Gomes 75), Teixeira. Unused subs: George, Trickett-Smith, Virtue.