'Mamadou gave young Reds derby warning'
Liverpool's youngsters scarcely needed added motivation to beat Everton U21s on Monday night, but they left the dressing rooms at half-time with Mamadou Sakho's words ringing in their ears.
The Frenchman played his first minutes for the Reds since starting against Besiktas at Anfield last month as he continued his return to full fitness with a first-half run-out in the mini-derby.
After a solid and uncompromising display at the Chester Swansway Stadium, Sakho, as planned, was withdrawn at the interval to be replaced by Brad Smith with the scores locked at 0-0.
As the young Reds were limbering up for the second half against their rivals from across Stanley Park, the towering Sakho made them promise that in his absence there would be no let-up in the battle.
"Sakho is an unbelievable professional," U21s manager Michael Beale told Liverpoolfc.com as he reflected on a breathtaking 2-1 victory which had been inspired by the sheer ingenuity of Harry Wilson.
"That's the second time - after last year when he played against West Ham United - that Sakho has joined us [at U21 level]. I thought he was outstanding in the first half.
"What a role model for our boys. When they were leaving at half-time, he was saying, 'don't lose this game - make sure you win'.
"I said that the boys would definitely win because they would be scared to go back in there and face him!
"I think he showed his level. There's a big jump between the Premier League and the U21s and Sakho showed that in the first half."
Liverpool were the more convincing of the two sides, but Everton struck first when Gethin Jones seized upon Lloyd Jones' misplaced pass and tucked the ball inside to Ryan Ledson, who curled a sublime opener.
However, substitute Daniel Cleary nodded the Reds' equaliser on his 19th birthday before Wilson surged in from the right and unleashed an unstoppable drive, which flew into the top corner in the 93rd minute.
"Harry was very disappointed to miss out [from the start]," said Beale. "I thought the game would be very tense early on. I said to him that I thought he'd come on and get the winner.
"Whether he believed me or not, he certainly delivered at the end. I was just calling for [the players] to get him the ball - I was probably screaming too much, really. I just felt that he'd get the chance. We all know Harry can produce that.
"We scored at the right time through Danny, who was also disappointed to be left out. So they were the two boys who impressed me the most because they came out of a really good team performance last week [against Chelsea] and they both came on and got the goals.
"Dan's had a fantastic season to this point, so let's see how he goes."
Jordan Williams, meanwhile, who has been on the first-team bench for the Reds' last four fixtures, turned in a commanding display, first in defence and then further forward in a midfield berth.
"I think you see a massive difference in Jordan," said Beale. "I remember last year he was coming into the team after a long injury and now you can see that power and that confidence that's stemmed from training with the first team every day.
"We've got to make sure we keep giving him minutes when we can. It's obviously exciting that he's at Melwood and I'm sure he'll be a Liverpool player for years to come."