AcademyU21s match report: Liverpool finish 2023 with win over Feyenoord in PL International Cup

The young Reds went two goals up midway through the first half of the Group C encounter at the Kirkby Academy through finishes from Paul Glatzel and Lewis Koumas.

Joep van der Sluijs pulled one back for the Dutch visitors but Tom Hill's 68th-minute header wrapped up the three points for Barry Lewtas' side.

Speaking to Liverpoolfc.com post-match, Lewtas said: "We started ever so well and I thought for 30, 35 minutes we were superb. I think the boys felt we could score every attack, and that's not the case!

"They were a good team and I think they showed that in the last 10 minutes of the first half. They got back into it a bit and had more control.

"And then in the second half it was a real good game and real test for us mentally and obviously tactically as well."

Liverpool's strong start in testing, windy conditions was rewarded with a healthy lead after 21 minutes.

Hill curled a cross into the box from the left and it found the unmarked Glatzel in front of goal. The forward watched his initial finish get saved by Mannou Berger but swiftly converted the rebound for the opening goal in the ninth minute.

At the other end, Fabian Mrozek produced a stunning save to tip over Van der Sluijs' on-target free-kick from around 25 yards out.

The value of that intervention increased four minutes later as the Reds would go on to double their advantage, Koumas deciding to try his luck from distance with a well-struck effort that cannoned off Lars de Block and ended up wrong-footing Berger.

PHOTOS

By Andy Powell

Trey Nyoni went close to adding a third following a lovely team move but the visitors went on to halve the deficit around the half-hour mark.

A counter-attack saw the ball worked to Nesto Groen inside Liverpool's penalty area, from where he produced a cut-back that found the arriving Van der Sluijs.

Feyenoord finished the half the stronger side, nearly drawing level with attempts from Jaden Slory and Paris Elmensdorp.

They were a whisker away from making it 2-2 on the other side of the break as well but substitute Delano van der Heijden's drive from long range struck the post and bounced clear.

A minute later, Liverpool restored their two-goal lead, with Hill heading in via the crossbar after Glatzel's cross from near the right touchline was pushed out by the Feyenoord goalkeeper.

A resolute display from the hosts then eliminated any chances of a comeback as they ended their calendar year in the best way possible.

TEAM

Liverpool U21s: Mrozek, Miles, Scanlon (Nallo, 90+1), Pinnington, Chambers, Pilling (Davidson, 85), Glatzel, Hill, Koumas, Nyoni (Spearing, 69), Kone-Doherty (Cannonier, 69).

Unused sub: O. Kelly.

NEXT UP

The U21s return to action in the New Year when they play their final group fixture of the Premier League International Cup.

Athletic Club from Spain arrive in Kirkby on Wednesday January 10.