Kieran Morrison continues scoring ways as 16-year-old nets on Liverpool debut
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A disappointing weekend for Liverpool's Academy sides saw both the Under-21s and 18s beatenKieran Morrison scored his 16th goal of a productive season but Liverpool's Under-21s fell to a 5-1 defeat at the Kirkby Academy on Sunday afternoon.It followed on from a 4-3 defeat for the U18s against Sunderland on Saturday to complete a miserable weekend for the Reds' men's teams given Arne Slot's senior side were beaten 2-1 at Brighton & Hove Albion in the Premier League.The U21s couldn't cope with the Eagles' strength and power, following up Monday's 2-0 loss at Manchester City with a second defeat in a week.It was an action-packed start at Kirkby, with three goals inside the opening 17 minutes. Palace’s Dean Benamar started the scoring when he fastened onto a long ball downfield, controlled it, and finished coolly past Hungarian goalkeeper Armin Pecsi.FOLLOW OUR LIVERPOOL FC FACEBOOK PAGE!
All the latest news and analysis from Anfield on the Liverpool Echo's dedicated LFC Facebook pageThe young Reds responded quickly when Harry Lee gifted Morrison the ball just yards from his own goal. The Palace goalkeeper's misplaced pass fell invitingly at the feet of the new Northern Ireland international, who has his first call-up to the senior squad next weekHowever, Morrison's calm finish was immediately undone when Tyler Whyte poked in at the back post following a scruffy corner that restored Palace’s lead.The visitors were the better side throughout, and if not for Pecsi, their advantage could have been greater.
Palace’s more robust style came to the fore again almost immediately after the half-time whistle, as Charlie Walker-Smith rose highest in the box to head in.The Reds, keen to avoid a second successive reverse, especially considering they previously went nine unbeaten, pushed to reduce the arrears, with Josh Sonni-Lambie firing a volley just wide, before Will Wright’s first-time finish was well saved by Lee.But Rob Page's youngsters simply could not deal with Palace's power. Pecsi was again on hand to keep out the initial effort, but watched forlornly as Jemiah Umolu tapped in a fifth.On Saturday, the Reds' U18s side were beaten 4-3 at Sunderland's Academy of Light.Vincent Joseph. a 16-year-old forward, scored on his U18s debut before La'more Lee Forrester double Liverpool' advantage before goals from Marcus Neill and Lewis Campbell restored parity.Tom Proctor and Triziano Wilson made it 4-2 to Sunderland before Reds substitute Lenix Conde grabbed one back.