U18s cruise to City win
Liverpool U18s produced another superb display on their travels as they secured a 3-1 win at Manchester City on Saturday afternoon.
Mike Marsh's youngsters were looking to bounce back following last weekend's disappointing loss against Bolton and they did it in style courtesy of goals from David Moli, Jordan Lussey and Jack Dunn.
The result means the Reds remain unbeaten away from home this season and pick up three points that will give them a significant lift ahead of the forthcoming clash at Man United on Friday.
The visitors bossed the contest throughout and could have stolen in front on four minutes but no-one was on hand to fire in the rebound after Josh Sumner's shot was spilled by Angus Gunn.
City responded and Tyrell Belford did well to thwart Adam Drury before Alex Henshall's cross-shot was brilliantly cleared by Matty Regan.
The hosts were beginning to find openings and Drury wasted a glorious chance to put them ahead when he fired straight at Belford.
This miss seemed to inspire life into the Reds and after Lussey hit a free-kick into the wall they should have opened the scoring on 26 minutes.
The ball broke to Moli inside the six-yard box but when the forward miscued it presented an even more inviting opportunity for Regan. The centre back struck the ball cleanly but saw his effort arrow wildly wide of goal from point-blank range.
Next, Dunn fizzed just off target before the away side broke forward with devastating effect on 32 minutes.
Belford's quick-thinking throw found substitute Nathan Quirk on the left wing. The midfielder, who had just replaced the injured Sumner, hit a superb outside of the foot pass down the line to find the clever run of Dunn. The England U17 star raced through before unselfishly teeing up Moli who made no mistake from eight yards.
Dunn then saw a low free-kick beaten away at the near post by Gunn and Regan headed a corner over as Liverpool ended the half on top.
City were always going to respond after the interval but the visitors continued to produce a display worthy of their lead.
With defences on top, chances were at a premium until another fine move saw Liverpool double their lead on 59 minutes.
Moli did well down the right before crossing to the far post where Lussey ghosted in to fire home a clinical finish.
Both Dunn and Moli then wasted openings before City were given a lifeline on 76 minutes when Regan was harshly penalised for handball.
However, Belford produced a smart save low to his right to keep out Albert Rusnak's spot-kick.
With time ticking away Liverpool continued to threaten and they made it three four minutes later when Moli set up Dunn to beat Gunn with a low drive. It was the perfect way for the youngster to celebrate his 17th birthday and capped a final overall performance from Marsh's charges.
To their credit, City kept pushing until the end and they grabbed a consolation three minutes from time.
Liverpool U18s: Belford, McLaughlin, Pelosi, Rafferty, Regan, Aylmer (Baio 65), Peterson, (King 76) Dunn, Moli, Sumner (Quirk 21), Lussey. Unused subs: Wearing, Wilson.
