HUGH McAULEY hailed his Liverpool under-18s side’s 4-1 victory At Wolverhampton Wanderers on Saturday as their “best performance of the season”.
Two goals from David Amoo, a penalty from Nathan Eccleston and another effort from Gary Mackay-Steven capped a fine display to make it five wins from Liverpool’s last six Premier Academy League matches.
And McAuley was delighted with his team as a group and individually.
He said: “It was an excellent football match. And I thought up to now it was our best performance in that we scored excellent goals and passed the ball a lot of better than we have done in the other games. We kept the ball well, passed at right times and by and large defended excellently. Added to that there were some really good individual performances which was really pleasing.”
Liverpool took the lead after 15 minutes when Eccleston’s shot was saved by the Wolves keeper, but strike partner picked up on the rebound, sidestepped a defender and crashed his shot into the top corner.
However, Wolves equalised 10 minutes later.
But in the second half Liverpool were dominant and regained the lead from a good individual goal from Amoo, before Eccleston hit the third from the penalty spot.
Gary Mackay-Steven completed the scoring with another well-taken goal.
McAuley said: “All the lads did well but Nathan Eccleston was probably our best player. He was playing as a second striker and he was getting a lot of space and using it well.
“David Amoo and Gary Mackay-Steven did well and took their goals well. Sean Highdale and Astrit Adjarevic also had good game in midfield, while Stevie Irwin at right-back – he can play anywhere – defended well and also broke forward a lot. Martin Kelly and Joe Kennedy were solid at the back, so you are looking at six or seven playing really well.”
Liverpool welcome Crewe Alexandra to the Kirkby Academy this Saturday (kick-off 11am).
LIVERPOOL U18s:Bouzanis; Irwin, Kennedy, Kelly, O’Connor; Kacaniklic (Awang 70), Highdale, Adjarevic, MacKay-Steven (Roberts 80); Eccleston, Amoo. Subs: Blakeman.
