Clinical U18s secure convincing win
Harry Wilson added two more goals to his growing tally for the campaign as Liverpool's U18s recorded an impressive and deserved 4-1 victory over Newcastle United on Saturday.
Will Marsh and Daniel Trickett-Smith had already handed Neil Critchley's side a healthy advantage at half-time, as the youngsters dominated proceedings throughout at the Kirkby Academy.
Liverpool could have been ahead within 70 seconds of kick-off as quick thinking by Trickett-Smith allowed the forward to capitalise on a loose back-pass, but the Newcastle goalkeeper thwarted his strike.
An opening goal did arrive in the 12th minute, though, and Trickett-Smith was the provider - Marsh collected the pass, shaped his body into a perfect position and dispatched a sliced volley into the corner from the edge of the penalty area.
Midway through the half, Magpies midfielder Liam Smith whipped a troublesome set-piece towards goal which Andrew Firth needed to back-pedal to tip over - a free-kick that the watching Robbie Fowler would have been proud of.
As half-time approached, Wilson curled a precise corner onto the head of Trickett-Smith, who looped a header that drifted the wrong side of the post. But he would make amends moments later.
Wilson set off on an outstanding dribble along the right wing, holding off a succession of challenges before drifting inside and laying the ball off to Trickett-Smith to power a finish past the 'keeper for 2-0 a minute before the break.
Not content with creating a goal, Wilson bagged his own as soon as the action resumed; racing forward after winning possession, the Welsh youngster shimmied around the away defence and clipped home the young Reds' third.
Before the hour, it was four and Wilson claimed his second. The 16-year-old stole the ball from the Newcastle backline and calmly side-footed underneath the outrushing 'keeper to add further gloss to the hosts' performance.
Callum Roberts came closest to a consolation for United when his swirling drive carried wide of the left post, while Joe Kerridge lashed a low effort off target to the other side shortly after.
Ryan McKinnon was dismissed for a second bookable offence with 10 minutes remaining of the encounter, but Alex Gilliead converted a spot-kick for the travellers after Daniel Cleary had been penalised.
U18s team: Firth, Randall (Waldron), Hart, Cleary, Roberts, Virtue, Wilson, Griffin, Trickett-Smith (Canos), Marsh (Watts), O'Hanlon. Unused substitute: Jackson.