AcademyU18s match report: Liverpool beat Stoke City 4-2 with incredible comeback

Two strikes from Laurence Giani in the opening period put the visitors in control of the U18 Premier League North clash at the Kirkby Academy.

But Joe Bradshaw pulled a goal back for the Reds not long after the break and then they levelled through substitute Tyler Martin's hit in the 81st minute.

The turnaround was completed with stoppage-time finishes from Josh Sonni-Lambie and Bradshaw.

Simon Wiles' side were unfortunate not to go 1-0 up in minute 13, with a lovely chipped effort from Finn Inglethorpe beating the goalkeeper but striking the crossbar.

The Potters took the lead a quarter of an hour later, when Elliot Fearn burst down the right and crossed to find Giani at the back post.

A last-ditch intervention by Sanchez Phillips denied Bradshaw what looked like a certain equaliser from close range.

That moment grew in importance five minutes prior to the break as Stoke went on to double their lead.

In a move similar to the opener, Giani finished clinically inside the box from Fearn's low delivery.

The deficit did not faze the hosts, however – signalled by Sonni-Lambie going close early in the second half.

They were given tangible hope of salvaging something just past the hour mark.

A breakaway ended with Bradshaw curling nicely into the far corner for 2-1, having been played in by Inglethorpe's neat pass.

Martin had only been on the pitch for four minutes when he drew Liverpool level.

Inglethorpe claimed another assist by laying the ball off to the scorer, who fired into the bottom left corner from just outside the area.

The Reds did not settle for the point, though, and it was made 3-2 in the first minute of added-on time.

Sonni-Lambie volleyed a finish past 'keeper Benjamin Chivers after the ball sat up invitingly for him following Inglethorpe's deflected backheel.

And the victory was sealed with 90+6 on the clock, Bradshaw tapping in a cross from Martin on a counter-attack.

Team

Liverpool U18s: Bernard, Conde (Hickman, 67), Ayman, Esdaille, Clarke, Murray-Holme (Farkas, 67), Bradshaw, Upton, Inglethorpe, Sonni-Lambie, Lee Forrester (Martin, 77).

Unused subs: M. Wright, Huth.

Next up

Liverpool are on the road for the first time in the new year next Saturday, heading to Newcastle United for an 11am GMT clash in the league.