U21s suffer Chelsea defeat
It was an afternoon of frustration for Liverpool U21s after they suffered a 4-0 defeat at the hands of a strong Chelsea side at Cobham on Sunday.
The home side opened the scoring five minutes before the half-time break when Burkina Faso international Bertrand Traore headed home following a set-piece.
The second-half started with Chelsea increasing their advantage straight from the kick-off when Ruben Loftus-Cheek charged past five Liverpool players before slotting home beyond the reach of Ryan Fulton.
This paved the way for a further two goals in the next three minutes as Tammy Abraham converted a penalty, and then netted from close range following a surging run down the left wing from Charlie Musonda.
Loftus-Cheek was the star name in the Chelsea side and he was an immense presence in front of the watching Jose Mourinho.
Liverpool’s youngsters kept battling away but just couldn't find an opening. Adam Phillips went close with a free-kick that just cleared the bar and Jerome Sinclair had a few chances when he was closed down when clean through.
On the positive side for Beale he was able to welcome back Jack Dunn and Daniel Trickett-Smith who both made appearances off the bench following injury in the second half.
Liverpool U21s: Fulton, Whelan, Maguire, Cleary, Brewitt, Chirivella, Wilson (Marsh), Phillips (Dunn), Sinclair, O’Hanlon, Madger Gomes (Trickett-Smith). Unused subs: Firth, Virtue.