ACADEMY: Another five-star display for Liverpool

Dec 18 2007 by Chris Wright, Liverpool Daily Post

NATHAN ECCLESTON’S hat-trick was the highlight of another five-star performance from Liverpool under-18s as they beat West Bromwich Albion 5-0 at the Kirkby Academy on Saturday.

Hugh McAuley’s side followed their midweek 5-0 FA Youth Cup third round victory over Wycombe Wanderers with another prolific goalscoring performance on their return to Premier Academy League action at the weekend.

German striker Marvin Pourie scored his 11th goal of the season, while Eccleston took his tally to 15 with a treble while substitute Michael Collins completed the victory.

In a fairly even first half Liverpool managed to edge ahead on 16 minutes when Pourie – who had earlier hit a post – collected Gary Mackay-Steven’s pass to fire in from just outside the area.

Liverpool had plenty of chances throughout the match with Mackay-Steven, Steve Irwin, Joe Kennedy and Astrit Adjarevic all going close.

Eccleston doubled Liverpool’s lead 10 minutes into the second half when, after good work from substitute Alex Kacaniklic, the Manchester-born striker scored from close range.

The third was almost a carbon copy as Kacaniklic again set up Eccleston for another simple finish.

Substitute Collins scored Liverpool’s fourth on 70 minutes with a good strike after collecting a long pass.

Then Eccleston, who had one effort for his hat-trick disallowed, finally claimed his first treble of the campaign when coolly slotting home from Sean Highdale’s through-ball.

Coach McAuley said: “It was a poor first half and I didn’t think we played particularly well even though we took the lead.

“But we sorted one or two things out at half-time and the second half was a lot better. We showed some good passing movements and team shape. Sometimes after the Youth Cup, you can get a bit lackadaisical.

“But as they went on we played really well.

“We thoroughly deserved the victory and it was an great result.”

Liverpool will return to action in three weeks when they take on Bolton Wanderers at the Kirkby Academy on Saturday, January 5 (kick-off 11am).

LIVERPOOL UNDER-18s: Hansen, Irwin, O’Connor, Wooton, Kennedy, Highdale, Amoo (Collins 60), Ajdarevic, Pourie (Scott 70), Eccleston, Mackay-Steven (Kacaniklic 45). Subs: Awang, Parsonage.