AcademyU18s match report: Liverpool score seven in league win over Burnley

The Reds' response to conceding early on was formidable, with a Josh Sonni-Lambie hat-trick - the forward's 16th, 17th and 18th goals of the season - and Josh Abe effort putting them in command at the interval.

La'more Lee Forrester was on target twice in the second period to add extra gloss to a comprehensive win that was rounded off by a Luca Eden penalty a minute from the end.

Burnley made an assertive start to proceedings at the Kirkby Academy and were ahead within seven minutes.

Braidin Derbyshire held off DJ Esdaille as he collected a ball into the box on the left and found the net despite a touch on his effort from Liverpool goalkeeper DJ Bernard.

There was a quick and forceful response from the home team, however.

From Ellis Hickman's pass down the right flank, Abe drove into the Burnley area and was brought down. Sonni-Lambie took penalty kick responsibility and finished it emphatically.

By minute 15, they were 2-1 ahead.

Again it was via a penalty, on this occasion as a result of Finn Inglethorpe suffering a late challenge - which required his substitution - after good pressing high up the pitch by Erik Farkas.

Sonni-Lambie stepped up once and more and dispatched the ball down the middle.

The Reds' advantage was swiftly hammered home as Abe added his name to the scoresheet with still just 20 on the clock.

Farkas was involved again, advancing through the centre and sending a pass into the box, and Abe supplied a crisp touch, turn and strike for 3-1.

Simon Wiles' side did need a vital goalline intervention from Lucas Clarke to thwart Dylan Morison as the visitors tried to turn the momentum.

But Liverpool stretched their lead further prior to the break - and Sonni-Lambie secured the match ball.

Farkas was the provider from deep again and the Reds' No.11 made no mistake with a clinical finish.

The hosts did not have to wait long in the second half to pick up where they left off.

Lee Forrester grabbed the first of his two goals 10 minutes after the restart, winning possession himself and then beating the goalkeeper.

There were further chances as Abe broke clear for a one-on-one and was denied, before substitute Eden saw a good strike deflected narrowly wide.

A sixth came on 65 minutes, though. The visitors' offside trap was foiled and Lee Forrester was able to round the 'keeper and convert.

The scoring was completed near the end when 14-year-old Eden won a third Liverpool penalty of the afternoon and netted from 12 yards himself.

Team

Bernard, Hickman, Ayman, Esdaille, Clarke, Murray-Holme, Abe (Conde, 67), Upton (Eden, 46), Inglethorpe (Lee Forrester, 15), Farkas, Sonni-Lambie (O'Connor, 60).

Unused sub: M. Wright.

Next up

The U18s are back in action next Friday (January 30), hosting Derby County in a league fixture at the Academy.

Kick-off is 12pm GMT and the game will be shown live on All Red Video.