Suso hits double in U21s draw (videos)
Raheem Sterling and Suso impressed as Liverpool U21s played out a 3-3 draw with West Ham United on Monday afternoon.
After conceding an early goal to the Hammers, Sterling struck a beautiful equaliser and Suso converted from the centre of the area following a fine individual run.
The away side made it 2-2 in the second half but the inspirational Suso gave the Reds another lead, hitting an impressive effort after being played through by teammate Sterling.
Elliot Lee denied Liverpool in the closing seconds, however, and the hosts were forced to settle for a point.
U21s manager Alex Inglethorpe again named a strong side, with first-team squad members Jonjo Shelvey, Raheem Sterling, Suso and Andre Wisdom featuring in the starting XI.
There was also an opportunity to impress for Daniel Carr, a striker currently on trial with the Reds from Dulwich Hamlet - with Reds boss Brendan Rodgers among those watching at the Kirkby Academy.
But it was certainly not the start Inglethorpe's side were planning, as the Londoners took a fourth-minute lead when Daniel Potts was left unmarked to easily head home from a corner.
Their confidence raised, West Ham were keeping the hosts quiet but Sterling threatened with a snapshot from distance before later levelling the scores with a pinpoint strike.
Picking up on a second ball which ran loose at the left edge of the West Ham penalty area, the 18-year-old took one touch before firing a half-volley into the top corner to make it 1-1 on 24 minutes.
On the half-hour a quick-fire turnaround was completed for the home side, with Suso producing an equally impressive strike to put the Reds in front.
The Spaniard won possession in midfield before beginning a dribble which allowed him to travel through the heart of the West Ham defence and plant a right-foot effort beyond the goalkeeper.
Shelvey came agonisingly close to scoring with an audacious free-kick from the halfway line and the Hammers had a goal disallowed for offside shortly before the break.
But West Ham required only 10 minutes to bring themselves back into the match, with Wellington Paulista being afforded far too much freedom to guide a header past Danny Ward from a corner.
Both sides had opportunities to grab a winner as the second period progressed but it was Suso, who consistently drove the young Reds forward, who had the decisive impact.
Sterling broke clear in midfield and delivered to Suso on the right. The attacking midfielder stepped inside his marker and drilled a precise finish inside the near post.
But in stoppage time, Lee ensured West Ham could return south with a point and denied the Reds.
The Reds team in full was: Ward, McLaughlin (Randall), Roddan, Wisdom, Coady, Shelvey, Teixeira, Suso, Nacho, Sterling (Peterson), Carr (Morgan).