U21s hit Newcastle for five at Anfield
Liverpool U21s were involved in a seven-goal thriller against Newcastle United as they recorded an impressive 5-2 win at Anfield on Friday night.
Callum Roberts put the visitors ahead with seven minutes on the clock, bounding into the area and steering a low shot into the Kop end goal.
The Reds were level within three minutes. Jack Dunn regained possession 20 yards from goal before drilling into the back of the net for his sixth of the campaign so far.
Then, soon after, a superb solo run from Ryan Kent allowed him to tee up Kristoffer Peterson to tap in from inside the six-yard box.
The whirlwind start continued and, with not even 20 minutes gone, Rolando Aarons showed outstanding poise to juggle his way into a shooting position inside the box prior to dispatching home to draw Newcastle level.
But back came the hosts and Cameron Brannagan's corner found the towering leap of Rafael Paez, who looped a header over a defender on the line and restored Liverpool's lead once more.
The Reds should have furthered their advantage just before the break when Peterson's cross almost picked out Brad Smith at the back post, but he was beaten to the ball by Lubo Satka when a goal appeared inevitable.
The home team had several chances to extend their lead throughout the second period, most notably when Dunn set up Smith, who stabbed wide at close range.
Meanwhile, Brannagan clipped the top of the crossbar with a long-range curler.
Nonetheless, Peterson wrapped it up when Smith got to the byline and cut back for the Swedish forward to guide home with a well-controlled finish.
Dunn then put the icing on the cake at the death when Smith once again caused havoc down the left and set up the Scouser to slot in Liverpool's fifth.
Liverpool U21s: Mersin, Randall, Maguire, Paez, Jones, Rossiter, Smith, Brannagan, Peterson, Dunn, Kent (Bijev).Subs: Baio, Fulton, Trickett-Smith.