U18s endure derby defeat at Finch Farm
It was a tough afternoon for Liverpool U18s as they endured a 5-0 defeat at the hands of neighbours Everton at Finch Farm on Saturday.
Neil Critchley's side were second best against their bitter rivals on a blustery afternoon as Calum Dyson bagged a brace, while Harry Charsley, Jack Bainbridge and the impressive Liam Walsh all chipped in with strikes.
The visitors were missing key players ahead of their UEFA Youth League last 16 clash with Benfica next week, with no sign of Harry Wilson, Sergi Canos, Pedro Chirivella, Corey Whelan or Jerome Sinclair.
However, the young Reds struggled to contain Everton, who had Walsh stationed in front of a solid defence and, through him, they were able to open Liverpool up time and again.
Walsh created the first goal with a sublime 40-yard pass to release Michael Donohue, who flew to the by-line and crossed for Dyson. Andrew Firth did brilliantly to parry the initial effort, but Charsley arrived to turn the ball home for 1-0.
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Liverpool were disappointed to concede in injury-time at the end of the first half, when Bainbridge connected with Walsh's pinpoint cross - and they were hit with a sucker punch after the interval when Donohue floated a fine pass for Dyson to nod into the net.
In the 57th minute, Walsh got the goal his performance had warranted, collecting the ball and racing forward, drawing Firth from his line and converting beyond the goalkeeper with a neat finish.
Liverpool managed to stem the flow of Everton's attack for a period of time and created an opportunity to pull a goal back when Madger Gomes, who was impressive for the Reds, crossed for Adam Phillips, but he was unable to steer his header home.
Then, with 15 minutes remaining, the Blues' powerful No.9 Dyson picked up Antonee Robinson's pass and steered the ball beyond Firth to grab his second goal of the game and inflict a disappointing 5-0 defeat on the Reds.
Liverpool U18s: Firth, Lewis, Travis, Virtue (Hart), Masterson, Brewitt, Ejaria, Alexander-Arnold, Maxwell, Madger Gomes, Phillips (Waldron). Unused substitutes: Jackson, Watts, Dobie.