AcademyU21s match report: Liverpool score five to defeat 10-man Wolves

The young Reds produced a clinical performance at the Kirkby Academy to earn a five-goal advantage after just 30 minutes of action.

Goals from Clae Ewing, Calvin Ramsay, Kieran Morrison and Will Wright, alongside a Saheed Olagunju own goal, secured the win.

The visitors saw Mackenzie Bradbury sent off.

The game had barely hit its stride in the early exchanges when Liverpool opened the scoring inside two minutes.

It was the Reds' first attack of the afternoon as Morrison broke down the right flank to cross into the box.

Wolves attempted to clear, but the ball fell to Ewing just inside the area. The full-back took a touch before hammering a shot into the back of the net via the inside of the post.

Joe Bradshaw then threatened twice in quick succession, first driving a low shot across goal, ahead of forcing a strong save from goalkeeper Alfie Brooks.

It was a sign of what was to come, however, with Liverpool doubling their advantage through Ramsay shortly after.

Morrison's deep free-kick to the back post was hooked back into the six-yard box by Wright and the cross was met by the head of the defender from close range.

Wolves attempted to respond and did have the ball in the back of the net themselves during a swift break through Luke Rawlings, though he was denied by a raised offside flag as he converted a cross.

The visitors were then reduced to 10 men in the 17th minute after Wright won the ball back high up the pitch to turn and advance.

Bradbury hauled down the forward in his attempts, and he was deemed to have denied a goalscoring opportunity in doing so.

Wolves stopper Brooks also produced a stunning save from Tommy Pilling, as his diving header was denied with an acrobatic halt on the line, which followed Bradshaw's cross being turned back across goal by Morrison.

Liverpool's press was causing problems for the visitors, and it paid off with the player advantage as Trey Nyoni twice won the ball back up the pitch.

The midfielder first stole possession after a defensive free-kick, allowing Morrison to tap into an empty net, ahead of again doing similar to supply Wright, who curled a shot into the far corner to make it four.

An own goal from Olagunju then added a fifth on the half-hour as he inadvertently hooked in a Morrison cross.

Liverpool were in command and attempted to press home their advantage in the second half.

Kyle Kelly went close as he forced Brooks into a stern save with a low drive, while Ewing fired over the bar at the back post following a cross from substitute Michael Laffey.

Kelly again hit another thunderous rising shot from the edge of the area that was tipped over by the goalkeeper, who flung himself to his right this time.

It was as close as Liverpool came to adding further to the scoreline, though, as they moved their unbeaten run to nine games to sit top of the standings on goal difference.

Team

Liverpool U21s: Pecsi, Ramsay, Pinnington, Nallo (Pitt, 62), Ewing, Kelly, Morrison (Onanuga, 62), Nyoni (Laffey, 46), W. Wright, Pilling, Bradshaw (Ahmed, 76).

Unused sub: Poytress.

Next up

The young Reds will return to action on Monday March 16 when they visit Manchester City.

The Premier League 2 clash is set for a 7pm GMT kick-off, with supporters able to watch the game live via All Red Video.