James Balagizi was again on the scoresheet in his first recreation for Liverpool U21s in over a yr because the younger Reds earned a 3-2 victory away to Sunderland.
Sunderland U21s 2-3 Liverpool U21s
PL2, Eppleton Colliery Welfare Floor
September 2, 2024
Targets: Balagizi 8′, Morrison 28′, Younger 81′; Samuel-Ogunsuyi 13′, Watson 90+2′
Balagizi skilled a tough however possible formative marketing campaign out on mortgage final trip, with half-season spells at Wigan and Kilmarnock bringing a complete of 14 appearances and solely 504 minutes on the pitch.
Although the extremely regarded 20-year-old was anticipated to seal one other transfer in the summertime switch window, he has as a substitute stayed at Liverpool.
That noticed him make his first aggressive look of the season because the U21s visited Sunderland on Monday night time – and he marked it with a purpose and help in a 3-2 win.
A robust aspect lined up on the Eppleton Colliery Welfare Floor, with 17-year-old Kieran Morrison offering the thrust Liverpool wanted early on.
It was Morrison’s fast toes that crafted the opener, darting into the field and making a taking pictures alternative which, although parried by the goalkeeper, fell into the trail of Balagizi who completed properly together with his left foot.
Balagizi then turned supplier earlier than the half-hour, driving inside from the suitable flank with an unstoppable run earlier than laying it off to Morrison who bent it into the underside nook.
Sunderland had already pegged Liverpool again via Trey Samuel-Ogunsuyi, however the younger Reds went into the break with a robust 2-1 lead.
Coach Barry Lewtas could have been happy with what he noticed on the pitch, not least with the trade of 35-year-old player-coach Jay Spearing who rolled again the years with quite a few crunching tackles.
Alongside Spearing in midfield, captain Dominic Corness additionally impressed, whereas 18-year-old Ranel Younger – newly promoted to the U21s this season – led the road with distinction.
Younger grabbed a deserved purpose to make it 3-1 late on, dancing via challenges into the field earlier than firing the ball in low.
Sunderland‘s Tommy Watson made it attention-grabbing as he pulled it again to 3-2 throughout 12 minutes of stoppage time, however Liverpool held agency and took all three factors.
There have been considerations over defenders Wellity Fortunate and Lee Jonas late on, however the hope is that each have been solely introduced off as a consequence of cramp.
Liverpool U21s: Misciur; Jonas (Okay.Kelly 90+5′), Fortunate (Laffey 72′), Nallo, Miles; Spearing (Pilling 46′), Morrison, Corness; Balagizi, Norris, Younger (Kone-Doherty 82′)
Subs not used: R.Trueman
Subsequent match: Derby (H) – PL2 – Sunday, September 22, 2pm (BST)
