Sheyi Ojo on the mark as U23s win Nike Academy friendly
Sheyi Ojo was on the mark as Liverpool U23s produced an impressive display to beat Nike Academy 4-0 in a friendly encounter in Kirkby on Wednesday afternoon.
The former MK Dons youngster was a lively presence down the flanks and played for 64 minutes, while Joe Gomez and Kevin Stewart both went the full distance for Mike Garrity’s side.
Also on the mark for the young Reds were Toni Gomes - who netted a double - and Stewart.
Garrity’s charges made a bright start to the proceedings with Corey Whelan and Harry Wilson forming a good partnership down the right.
On nine minutes, a superb cross from Whelan found Ojo who saw his header deflected just over the bar. Soon after, later the right-back set up Wilson, who was denied by an excellent point-blank save.
Nevertheless, Gomes opened the scoring on 22 minutes. It was a move that started at the back with a quick throw out by Caoimhin Kelleher to Ojo. He fed Paulo Alves who produced a sweet turn before releasing a searching pass through to Gomes, who ran clear and finished clinically.
Wilson then fired a low drive just wide before the No.7 turned provider for Stewart to net from close range.
Next, Ojo set off on a great run down the right flank which ended with his left footed curler sail inches past the post.
Two minutes before the break it was 3-0 when a mistake at the back led to Wilson teeing up Gomes for his second goal of the game.
Gomes then came within a whisker of completing a first half hat-trick when he and Ojo just failed to reach Whelan’s inviting cross.
The Reds continued their attacking threat in the second 45 minutes.
Ojo was denied by a brilliant save following a superb run down the left before the winger made it 4-0 on 55 minutes when he slotted home from close range after Sam Hart’s initial effort was saved.
At the other end of the field, Kelleher showed his qualities with two stunning saves, while Garrity was also able to introduce Conor Masterson and Yan Dhanda to give them more minutes at U23 level.
Liverpool U23s: Kelleher, Whelan (Hart 45), Randall, N Phillips (Masterson 45), J Gomez, Stewart, Wilson (M Gomes 70), Brimmer (Williams 45), T Gomes (Brewster 45), Alves (Virtue 74), Ojo (Dhanda 64).