Academy

U21s match report: Wright and Danns score in Liverpool comeback draw at Chelsea

Will Wright and Jayden Danns scored as Liverpool U21s came from two goals down to draw 2-2 at Chelsea on Saturday.

Jayden Danns - 24/10/2026

Rob Page’s side fell behind in the opening two minutes of the Premier League 2 clash at Kingsmeadow, with Harrison McMahon giving the home club that immediate lead.

Both teams were creating sights at goal and the Reds enjoyed the majority share of possession – but it was the hosts who netted next.

Sol Gordon was the second Blues player on the scoresheet, set up by Kendry Paez just shy of the midway point of the first half.

Liverpool recovered well and reduced their deficit back to one just six minutes later.

Wright was the provider as the striker converted a smart finish to bring up the milestone of his 10th goal of the campaign across all competitions.

And the visitors got level soon after the half-time interval in excellent fashion.

Danns found the net from distance with a superb direct free-kick to open his account for 2026-27 and put the game firmly in the balance.

Page’s charges pressed on in search of a winner and spurned several good opportunities to seal a full turnaround.

Substitute Joe Bradshaw was denied by the goalkeeper in a one-on-one before Oliver O’Connor shot off target from close range.

Wright also went close to another goal near the end, but the Reds had to settle for a point in the capital.

U21s player-coach Jay Spearing told Liverpoolfc.com: “Our overall feeling is we should have won the game, because we created some great chances in the second half.

“We were off it in the first half and gifted two goals away but in the second half we were more like what we are about.

“The lads showed brilliant character, we had more belief and we played really well. We go away frustrated because we had some big chances to win it.

“We are delighted for Dannsy to get his first goal of the season. It was a brilliant free-kick and he deserved it. And he got 70 minutes in, which was great for him.”

Team

Liverpool: Davies, Cisse, Pitt, Lucky, Ndiaye, Trueman (Onanuga, 70), O’Connor, Laffey, Danns (Bradshaw, 70), Sonni-Lambie (Upton, 70), W. Wright.

Unused subs: Ayman, Hall, Cowley, P. Farkas.

Goals: W. Wright (26), Danns (48)

Next up

The U21s now have an extended period without a competitive match.

They will return on Tuesday November 10 for their third and final Jersey Mike’s Trophy group-stage game, away at Huddersfield Town (7pm GMT).