TOM INCE admitted before last night’s FA Youth Cup third round clash with Wolverhampton Wanderers at Anfield that defeat to Arsenal in last year’s final was spurring him on to go one better and lift the trophy this time.

Just six months on from that humbling 6-2 aggregate defeat to the Gunners a man-of-the-match display from the 17-year-old helped Liverpool progress through to the fourth round as they beat the Midlanders 2-0. While the lively Ince made the experience gained from last season’s run to the final count, it also helped new under-18s coach, Spaniard Rodolfo Borrell, get off to a winning start in the prestigious youth tournament.

The attacking midfielder was at the heart of much of Liverpool’s best play before tiring late on. The son of former Liverpool captain and MK Dons manager Paul – who was again watching in the Main Stand – proved a real handful throughout for Wolves’ former Liverpool schoolboy right-back Jack Metcalf, who showed his frustration when picking up a booking for a challenge on Ince in the second half.

The Stockport-born youngster did well on the left of an attacking 4-2-3-1 formation behind lone frontman Michael Ngoo. He must have impressed Liverpool’s assistant manager Sammy Lee, who along with Kenny Dalglish was among several former Anfield stars looking on.

Ince could easily have walked away with the match-ball with more composed finishing, but had to settle for the solitary goal which opened Liverpool’s victory in a feisty encounter.

Ince put the hosts ahead on 34 minutes, breaking into the box from the left and giving Wolves keeper East no chance with a low driven finish into the bottom corner.