AcademyLFC U18s win back-to-back pre-season friendlies against Salford City

Marc Bridge-Wilkinson deployed two different XIs for the back-to-back contests at the Academy and his team chalked up 1-0 and 3-0 results.

In the opening match, a youthful Reds side secured the win courtesy of a strike from Afolami Onanuga five minutes before the end.

Cody Pennington was the goal’s architect with a neat turn and precise through ball that sent Onanuga through to a one-v-one. And the midfielder coolly found the net with a deft finish over the goalkeeper.

Liverpool had threatened earlier in the tie when Kareem Ahmed released Emmanuel Airoboma down the right, but his cross evaded Nathan Giblin at the back post.

At the other end, Reds goalkeeper Kornel Misciur showed excellent reactions to thwart a dangerous Salford situation and preserve his clean sheet.

In match two, Jayden Danns gave the hosts an opening goal within 10 minutes of kick-off, heading home his first of a double after Trent Kone-Doherty brilliantly beat his marker and lifted a fine cross to the far post.

Kone-Doherty then celebrated his return from injury with Liverpool’s second, tapping in from close range when teed up by a Kieran Morrison pass.

After Morrison struck just wide from distance and Keyrol Figueroa headed an effort against the post, Danns rounded off the day by successfully closing down the opposition ’keeper and slotting in late on.