Ojo fires a treble as U21s secure dramatic Boro win

The 18-year-old netted 33 minutes in with a clinical finish to cancel out Arnel Jakupovic’s opener, before putting his side into the lead with a wonderful solo effort in the second half.

Liverpool thought they were going to be frustrated when Jakupovic grabbed his second of the night by converting a soft penalty with 14 minutes left of the 90.

But the visitors kept going right until the end and were awarded a penalty right at the death. Ojo confidently stepped up and sent the ‘keeper the wrong way to secure the win for Michael Beale’s side.

Beale made five changes to the team following the defeat against Sunderland last month and handed starts to Danny Ward, Brad Smith and Ojo, while Madger Gomes played in the No.10 role behind striker Jerome Sinclair.

In a slow start, Alex O’Hanlon registered the first shot of the contest 11 minutes in when he blazed over with a long-range effort, while at the other end Ward was called into action for the first time and had to be quick off his goalline to deny Thomas McAloon after the winger got on the end of a long pass from Robbie Tinkler.

But the goalkeeper was beaten two minutes later when the deadlock was broken. Tinkler again displayed his range of passing and sent in a cross which found Jakupovic and the striker headed past the onrushing Ward.

The Reds looked to reply quickly. Gomes dragged a shot wide before Boro almost doubled their lead by counter-attacking from a Liverpool corner but Jakupovic couldn’t sort his feet out and was unable to get a shot away.

The visitors were growing into the game and they were rewarded for their efforts just after the half-hour mark.

Ojo displayed his pace and power to receive Sinclair’s through ball before emphatically firing home to level things up.

Liverpool were finishing the first half the stronger side and Brad Smith delivered an inviting cross that went across the face of goal but no forward in white was present inside the six-yard box to tap in.

Continuing from where they left off before the break, the Reds nearly took the lead seconds after the restart.

Ryan Kent’s whipped free-kick was spilled by goalkeeper Joseph Fryer almost into the path of Joe Maguire, but the goalkeeper recovered quickly to smother the ball.

Liverpool wouldn’t have to wait long though to be ahead in the match - after more great work from their winger.

Ojo was causing all kinds of trouble on the left-hand side and in the 52nd minute he cut inside onto his right foot and curled a beauty into the far corner from a tight angle to make it 2-1.

Kent had moved into a central role in the second half and grew more involved. He nearly gave the side a much-needed two-goal cushion when he went on a mazy run only to be denied by a brilliant stop from Fryer.

But against the run of play, the hosts found themselves level when they were awarded a questionable spot-kick. Maguire was adjudged to have upended Callum Johnson before Jakupovic slotted home.

However, there was to be one final late twist.

With Liverpool looking to reclaim their lead, Sinclair was upended in the penalty area and the referee subsequently pointed to the spot.

Ojo confidently sent Fryer the wrong way to secure the match ball and the three points for the Reds.

The U21s return to action on Friday night when they face arch-rivals Manchester United at Prenton Park, at 7pm.

Liverpool U21s: Ward, McLaughlin (Whelan 62), Brewitt, Maguire, Smith, O'Hanlon, Chirivella, Kent, Gomes, Ojo, Sinclair (Trickett-Smith 90).