AcademyU21s match report: Kieran Morrison scores twice in Liverpool win at Forest
Kieran Morrison scored twice and provided an assist as Liverpool U21s secured a 3-0 victory over Nottingham Forest in Premier League 2.
Morrison’s brace at Loughborough University Stadium came from a free-kick and a direct corner, and was supplemented by setting up Noah Adekoya for his first Reds goal.
Rob Page made one change for the away trip on Friday night as Tommy Pilling stepped in to the line-up.
Hosts Forest signalled the earliest danger in the final third as Lamin Sillah dragged a shot wide inside the area.
Liverpool, though, were the team to open the scoring with their first chance of the contest after winning a set-piece 20 yards out after 10 minutes of play.
Morrison’s effort from the dead-ball was swung over the wall and beat goalkeeper George Murray-Jones for pace to hit the back of the net in impressive fashion.
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Sillah again went close for Forest, drilling a chance off target after a controlled touch inside the area.
The Reds then added to the scoreline and Morrison again played a role, delivering an inviting ball to the back post.
Adekoya broke free from his marker and swept home a well-placed volley inside the six-yard box.
Forest ended the half with pressure but were unable to get themselves on the scoresheet, seeing James Sinclair and Kalum Thompson go close.
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Forest ended the half with pressure but were unable to get themselves on the scoresheet, seeing James Sinclair and Kalum Thompson go close.
Following the interval, Liverpool threatened in their search for a third goal of the night.
Morrison slipped Calvin Ramsay into the box on the right, though the full-back’s low drive saved by the goalkeeper’s legs.
Trey Nyoni then struck the side-netting after Kyle Kelly and Trent Kone-Doherty combined during a quick free-kick to open up the chance.
A short while later, Morrison broke into the area, driving past the defence to fire a shot inches past the far post from right of goal.
The attacker next delivered a dipping ball across the area that was just ahead of Will Wright’s run.
Morrison wasn’t to be denied a second of the match, however, as he found the back of the net directly from a corner kick.
His delivery from the right evaded everyone and curled into the back of the net without a touch, putting the exclamation point on victory and helping move Liverpool to seven games unbeaten in the division.
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Team
Liverpool U21s: Pecsi, Ramsay (Davidson, 62), Pinnington, Adekoya, Ewing, Kelly (Onanuga, 79), Morrison (Pitt, 85), Pilling, Nyoni (Laffey, 62), Kone-Doherty, W. Wright.
Unused sub: Poytress.
Next up
The Reds return to the Kirkby Academy next Sunday (March 1) when they host Tottenham Hotspur in Premier League 2.
The fixture is set for a 2pm GMT kick-off and supporters can watch it live on All Red Video.