AcademyU18s match report: Liverpool begin season with 5-1 win at Stoke City

DJ Esdaille gave the Reds an early lead and was joined on the scoresheet later on in the first half by Joe Bradshaw, who curled in a beautiful free-kick.

A Goal of the Season contender from Josh Sonni-Lambie was followed up by a Finn Inglethorpe finish and Stoke own goal, to wrap up the points in head coach Simon Wiles' first competitive match in charge.

After a minute's silence in memory of Diogo Jota and Andre Silva, the visitors made a perfect start and took the lead in the eighth minute.

Full-back Esdaille angled a fine finish past goalkeeper Lucas Knight after being spotted free in the area by Bradshaw.

It was Bradshaw's turn to net midway through the opening period; the 17-year-old bent his set-piece into the net from around 25 yards out and paid tribute to Jota with the celebration.

The dominant Reds had opportunities to increase their advantage before the break, though Stoke did fire a warning when Jayden Ogbebor went close.

But Liverpool's lead would grow to become unassailable in stunning fashion on the hour mark, with Sonni-Lambie lobbing the retreating Knight from the halfway line.

Substitute Inglethorpe scored with his first touch since being introduced, redirecting an AJ Yeguo pull-back towards goal.

Tom McNally headed in a consolation for the Potters off a corner, as home defender Sanchez Phillips then turned Haydn Murray-Holme's delivery into his own net to complete the scoring.

Team

Liverpool: Misciur, Esdaille, Ayman, Cisse, Clarke, Upton, Bradshaw, Hickman (Murray-Holme, 83), Sonni-Lambie (Lonmeni, 76), Yeguo, Forrester (Inglethorpe, 76).

Unused subs: Bernard, Owen.

Next up

Wiles' team are on the road again in their second fixture of the season, travelling to Burnley on August 30 for an 11am BST kick-off.

They return to the Kirkby Academy on September 13 against Newcastle United.