AcademyU18s reaction: Wolves win, character shown and Finn Inglethorpe's halfway-line goal
A rollercoaster game at Wolverhampton Wanderers saw the young Reds take a two-goal advantage in the first half through Finn Inglethorpe and Erik Farkas goals.
But the hosts levelled with strikes either side of half-time and looked to have all the momentum heading into the game's final period.
Liverpool dug in, however, and fought their way back, winning the game late on through substitute Zak Coxon and a superb second for captain Inglethorpe.
Wiles told Liverpoolfc.com: "Finding ourselves 2-0 up with the opportunities we were creating, I thought that was deserved, even though there were a few turnovers and decisions we could have been better in.
"I thought the first goal was outstanding – forward running, forward passes, combinations, everything we speak about."
Read on as Wiles reflects further on a good day's work from his side.
On the impressive attacking link-up between Farkas, AJ Yeguo and Inglethorpe....
When they do it like that, with the right weight of pass, angle of pass, the right decisions, you get the ability to get behind the back line. And when it comes into Finn, he just rolls and that's just Finn all day – he's got the full range of finishes. That was everything we spoke about going into the game.
On conceding before half-time changing the momentum...
They're the moments where we have to be the best versions of ourselves individually and as a group. We had got a really impressive second goal with the weight of pass from Charlie Huth and Izzy [Garin] making the run in behind. I thought it was just outstanding and you want to keep the back door closed leading into half-time. Unfortunately, we concede and that changes a little bit about how we speak at half-time. We know there's going to be a reaction and an even bigger one once they've got themselves back into the game. We knew we had to weather Wolves' early momentum in the second half and unfortunately we conceded. So, it was about finding a way once again to get back in front.
On the mentality to get back on top...
I thought the subs were outstanding when they came on. I know there will be players disappointed they didn't start but the impact they made coming on was different class. It helped us get a little more control. We put an extra man in midfield and you've got Haydn [Murray-Holme] who's getting on the ball and ticking things over, Luca [Eden] making the forward runs, Zak Coxon sitting on the top line. As soon as that started to connect, we got a little momentum back our way. Matty Wright made some excellent saves and Shadrach [Ekiugbo] coming on had a defensive duty, which he did really well, winning the ball and enabling us to get up the pitch and chase the winner.
On restoring the advantage through substitute Coxon...
When the corner comes in, Finn has the intelligence to peel off and get his ball back across to Zak. For him to then control that and finish on the turn was really good. I'm really pleased for him. He works his socks off every day and he knows he'll get his opportunities. For him to come on after AJ had made an impact in the first half, it meant a little bit of a different approach from us in the second half. But that ability to twist and get his shot off was different class.
On Inglethorpe's stunning finale from near halfway...
The pleasing thing around it for us was that they were trying to get back into the game and the pressure we put on through Luca and Ellis [Hickman] crashing in the midfield to turn the ball over. That's exactly what we want from that group – leaving everything out there, high energy, willing to go the extra mile, doing everything they can. As a coach you want that to be a given but you know legs can tire. I thought the mentality and character to keep on pressing high and anticipating that was really good. As soon as Finn gets on the half-turn and sees the 'keeper, there's only one outcome. He's got that technical ability to execute that and I'm delighted for him.