GOALS from Lauri Dalla Valle and Nathan Eccleston helped Liverpool’s under-18s get back to winning ways as the beat Stoke City 2-1 at the Kirkby Academy on Saturday.
Hugh McAuley’s side had not won since their FA Youth Cup quarter-final victory over Bolton Wanderers almost six weeks ago.
But Saturday’s FA Premier Academy League success helps set them for the first leg of their FA Youth Cup semi-final against Birmingham City at St Andrews next Thursday.
Liverpool went ahead after 10 minutes when Eccleston and then Adam Pepper combined for Finnish striker Dalla Valle to fire home his 15th goal of the season.
Just over 10 minutes later Liverpool were 2-0 ahead when Tom Ince – back after representing England under-17s – set up Eccleston to fire low past Stoke keeper Dave Parton from 20 yards.
Liverpool were rampant at that stage and Dalla Valle saw one effort hit the post.
But Stoke came back into it and at the other end Liverpool goalkeeper Chris Oldfield saved well to deny Darren Brunt.
Stoke substitute Adam Vickers scored a late consolation.
