AcademyLiverpool U23s clinch 4-1 win at Arsenal

Barry Lewtas' side were full value for their result at Boreham Wood FC against a Gunners outfit that finished with 10 men.

The young Reds suffered an early blow when Tyler Morton picked up a knock and was forced to leave the field after just 19 minutes.

Jack Bearne claimed the opening goal just before half-time, his effort taking a big deflection off Miguel Azeez on its way into the net.

Leighton Clarkson then set up Billy Koumetio to make it 2-0 on 51 minutes, before Marcelo Flores pulled one back for the home team.

Arsenal were then reduced to 10 men when Salah-Eddine Oulad M'Hand was sent off.

Northern Ireland international Conor Bradley restored the Reds' two-goal cushion when he fired home to make it 3-1 on 72 minutes following some great work from Bearne.

And Max Woltman added a fourth goal for Liverpool in stoppage time.

Reflecting on the victory, U23s boss Lewtas told Liverpoolfc.com: "It was a pleasing night for us and the boys were excellent.

"It was a good game and there was moments in it we had really good control and looked a threat.

"In some moments I thought we could have finished our attacks a little bit better, but in terms of how we managed the game I thought we were excellent.

"We went 1-0 up and they put us under a bit of pressure but I thought we dealt with that really well.

"Billy scored a header to make it 2-0 and when they went down to 10 men we controlled the game after that.

"Billy's form since Christmas has been at a really good level and he was superb alongside Rhys Williams at the back. Billy was a colossus at the back for us.

"It was a really good performance and I feel at the moment we are in a good spot in terms of how we are playing."

On the reason for Morton having to leave the field, Lewtas added: "Tyler went in for a real full-blooded kind of 50-50 challenge and he got a dead leg, but quite a heavy dead leg.

"We'll keep our fingers crossed and hopefully he will be fine.

"Dominic Corness came on and did really well for us. He has missed a lot of football for us this season so it's good to have him back."

Liverpool U23s: Pitaluga, Bradley, Norris, Williams, Koumetio, Clarkson, Bearne, Morton (Corness, 19), Woltman, Clayton, O’Rourke (Quansah, 63).

Unused substitutes: Balagizi, Mrozek.