Match reportU23s beaten at West Ham in Premier League 2
Liverpool U23s were beaten 3-0 by West Ham United in their Premier League 2 clash on Saturday.
Barry Lewtas’ team came in to the game having collected seven points from their previous three in the division, but were 2-0 down before the midway point of the first half.
Two goals in as many minutes from Sonny Perkins and then Thierry Nevers gave the home side a firm grip on the contest at Rush Green and left the visitors with much to do.
The Reds’ frustrations were soon further compounded by the loss of midfielder Elijah Dixon-Bonner to injury midway through the period.
Lewtas’ side dug in, enjoyed plenty of the possession and created chances of their own in the search for a way back into the clash, only for Perkins’ second to seal the points for West Ham nine minutes into the second half.
“We said to the players afterwards we need to reflect on it and we certainly want to be better in some moments,” Lewtas told Liverpoolfc.com post-match.
“We did actually create some good chances; maybe half-chances, I’m maybe being a bit generous there. But we did actually play some good football. It was probably some real small details that in the end become the important details, which cost us the first two goals and then you’re chasing a little bit.
“The third goal, fair play, it was a real good finish on the counter-attack. Second half – and first half – we created plenty of chances but you’ve got to have that quality just to finish them off. Today it just wasn’t meant to be.”
Liverpool U23s: Pitaluga, Bradley, Beck, Boyes, Koumetio (Quansah, 63), Clayton, Bearne, Dixon-Bonner (Woltman, 22), Musialowski, Norris, Balagizi (Corness, 56).
Unused substitute: Hughes.