Flanagan features as U21s beat Saints
Jon Flanagan continued his comeback and Ryan Kent provided an assist for the winner as Liverpool U21s beat Southampton 2-1 at Staplewood training ground on Monday night.
After playing 30 minutes and 45 minutes in recent weeks, the defender stepped up his fitness with another impressive first-half outing at right-back.
Flanagan, who has spent the last 19 months on the sidelines following a succession of knee injuries, is edging his way back to full fitness as he looks to make his first appearance since the final game of the 2013-14 season.
Michael Beale’s side also saw the inclusion of Kent, Jerome Sinclair, Pedro Chirivella and Joe Maguire who were all in action for the first-team at Exeter City on Friday night, while Hungarian centre-back Kristof Polgar made his first start of the season.
It was a sweet victory for the young Reds after coming from behind. Harry Wilson was also on the mark with a penalty before Polgar claimed the final touch on a Kent free-kick to net the winner.
The U21s were so unlucky not to take the lead on 16 minutes when Alex O’Hanlon got in behind the Saints defence but after beating goalkeeper Paulo Gazzaniga, the Irishman saw his effort brilliantly cleared off the line by Jack Stephens.
Then on 28 minutes Wilson set off on a great run down the right flank, and after cutting inside he curled an effort just past the post.
The home side then had a great chance on the half-hour mark when Ryan Seager found himself clean through after a misplaced pass, but with Ryan Fulton doing brilliantly to narrow the angle, the striker could only fire wide.
However, two minutes later Seager made amends when he turned provider for Harrison Reed who gave Fulton no chance with a great finish.
Beale’s charges drew themselves on 32 minutes from the penalty spot. A delightful backheel from Wilson played in Flanagan who was brought down by Stephens. Wilson confidently netted from the spot to level the scores.
The young Reds made a planned change at the break when Flanagan made way for American striker Brooks Lennon, with Matty Virtue switching to right-back.
The home side then almost regained the lead on 52 minutes when Reed struck the post from a free-kick.
Liverpool got the winner in the 82nd minute when Polgar got the slightest of touches from close range to divert the ball into the back of the net following a Kent free-kick from the left edge of the box.
Substitute Daniel Trickett-Smith almost made it 3-1 with a superb low drive that flew inches past the post.
Liverpool U21s: Fulton, Flanagan (Lennon 45), Hart, Polgar, Maguire, Virtue (Whelan 65), Wilson, Chirivella, Sinclair (Trickett-Smith 86), O’Hanlon, Kent. Subs not used: Firth, Dhanda.