Maxwell's header enough for U18s win
Liverpool U18s saw off the challenge of a stubborn Sunderland outfit with a 1-0 victory at the Kirkby Academy on Saturday afternoon.
The young Reds grabbed a lead within seven minutes when Wade Maxwell was left unmarked from a free-kick scenario and expertly dispatched a header home.
For much of the second half it was the north east side in territorial command, but Neil Critchley's charges defended strongly to preserve the win.
The hosts began the encounter with authority, keen to control possession, particularly with the talented Madger Gomes so comfortable in taking the ball, turning and distributing it with his left foot.
It was a set-piece that created the opener. Adam Phillips lashed a dangerous free-kick to the back post at a perfect height for a header, and Maxwell obliged with a nod high into the roof of the net.
Sunderland's spirits seemed unaffected by the setback and the visitors were only a superb Lewis Travis clearance away from levelling after Jordan Blinco scurried along the right flank and targeted the box with a low cross.
Goalscorer Maxwell teed up the supporting Sergi Canos five minutes before the break and the Spaniard's touch created room for a shot that lacked the necessary power or direction to trouble the goalkeeper.
Canos should perhaps have done better in the fledgling moments of the second period when an outswinging corner arrived plum to him, though he could only glance it on along its path and the opportunity was spurned.
The enterprising Travis almost forced another goal with a driving dribble toward the near post but was blocked out, while Trent Alexander-Arnold clipped a well-struck volley wide to the right from the follow-up.
For the final quarter of the contest, however, it was Sunderland dictating the play and threatening a frustrating equaliser. But it did not arrive, ensuring a morale boost for the Reds ahead of next weekend's mini-derby.
U18s team: Firth, Travis, Hart, Brewitt, Masterson, Whelan (Lewis), Maxwell (Virtue), Madger Gomes, Canos, Alexander-Arnold, Phillips. Unused substitutes: Jackson, Polgar.