AcademyU21s match report: Will Wright scores twice as Liverpool beat Brighton 5-1 in PL2

Rob Page's side were well in control at the Kirkby Academy after scoring three of their goals inside the opening 25 minutes.

Josh Sonni-Lambie was the first Red to get on the scoresheet and was then joined by Michael Laffey and Wright, who netted either side of half-time.

An own goal midway through the second period added gloss to the victory for the hosts.

Liverpool's first attack resulted in the opener arriving within 90 seconds.

A lovely move from left to right ended with Isaac Mabaya driving forward and cutting back for Sonni-Lambie to poke home, opening his account at U21 level.

Mabaya unfortunately picked up an injury when delivering the assist and was unable to continue.

But the forced reshuffle did not halt Liverpool's flow as their second came in the 11th minute.

Wright delivered into the central area after turning past Sebastian Ademola, allowing Laffey to finish first time.

Alvin Ayman and Sonni-Lambie forced saves from Steven Hall, but the Brighton goalkeeper could do nothing to stop the Reds' third.

Wright won a duel with Ademola to meet Joe Bradshaw's ball in behind and then smashed into the far corner from the edge of the area.

Liverpool's cushion was reduced to two on the stroke of half-time, Valentin Joseph converting from a free-kick launched into the box.

It was back to three, though, soon after the restart.

After Bradshaw did well to win back possession in the Brighton third, Wright spun past Callum Mackley and calmly side-footed the ball past Steven Hall.

Wright was denied his hat-trick by a reaction save from the 'keeper, but the resulting Ayman corner was inadvertently flicked in by Theo Outen.

At the other end, Bailey Hall produced a stunning intervention to stop Kofi Shaw handing the Seagulls a lifeline.

Team

Liverpool: Hall, Mabaya (Onanuga, 5), Ayman, Cisse, Ndiaye, Upton (Trueman, 88), O'Connor, Laffey (Lucky, 88), W. Wright, Sonni-Lambie, Bradshaw (Danns, 56).

Unused subs: M. Wright, P. Farkas, Cowley.

Goals: Sonni-Lambie (2), Laffey (11), Wright (25, 50), own goal (66).

Next up

Liverpool begin their EFL Trophy campaign by travelling to League Two side Rochdale on Tuesday night.

The action at Crown Oil Arena is scheduled to get under way at 7pm BST.