Liverpool U21s played out a six-goal thriller away at Tottenham, as a young forward with first-team experience came on to inspire an impressive second-half comeback.
Tottenham U21s 3-3 Liverpool U21s
Premier League 2, Lamex Stadium
August 26, 2022
Goals: Mundle 5′, Santiago 42′, Santiago 44′, Chambers 51′, Woltman 67, Blair 74′
There were four changes from the starting XI that took on Blackburn last weekend, with Luca Stephenson, Dominic Corness and James Norris in for Isaac Mabaya, Stefan Bajcetic and Bobby Clark, who have all been training with the first team ahead of Saturday’s Premier League clash with Bournemouth. Elsewhere, Layton Stewart was back from suspension, replacing Oakley Cannonier up top.
Much like the first team in recent weeks, Liverpool started slowly, and were made to pay when Tottenham took an early lead. Reds centre-back Jarell Quansah was caught out on the ball and Romaine Mundle was on guard to slot the ball past Davies.
Slowly but surely, the Reds began to grow into the game. Shortly after the 10 minute mark, Reds winger Melkamu Frauendorf had two opportunities to equalise, one of which saw him fail to capitalise on an open goal, with the German only able to loft his effort over the bar from the edge of the box.
In the 16th minute, we very nearly witnessed the Premier League 2 Goal of the Season in August! After the ball fell to him around 30 yards from goal, Corness sent a terrific left-footed volley crashing off the Tottenham bar. Some strike, and extremely unlucky.
Midway through the half, the Reds’ dominance was disrupted when referee Greg Rollason pulled up injured. Wouldn’t be a Liverpool game without an injury, would it?
It was a stoppage that proved costly for Liverpool’s momentum, with a quick-fire double from Yago Santiago putting the hosts firmly in charge towards the end of the first period. The first was a classy finish from a tight angle inside the box, before another error in the Liverpool defence, this time from Lee Jonas, led to his second and Tottenham‘s third.
HT: Tottenham U21s 3-0 Liverpool U21s
In position at the Lamex Stadium for Liverpool U21s clash with Tottenham.
Isaac Mabaya, Stefan Bajcetic and Bobby Clark all with the first team, but Harvey Davies gets a game in goal.
Layton Stewart back from suspension, too. pic.twitter.com/hXuwlfqhwR
— Jack Sear (@JackSear) August 26, 2022
Tottenham were forced into an change early in the second half, with centre-back Charlie Sayers picking up a head injury, and shortly after, Liverpool had a goal back.
Luke Chambers, who yet again was a constant threat from left-back, saw his initial effort saved, before the England under-20 international bundled in the rebound to score his first goal in Premier League 2.
It was a strike that sparked Barry Lewtas‘ side into life, and with 30 minutes remaining, Corness hit the woodwork again with another terrific effort. This time, the midfielder drove through midfield and into the box, before his strike came back off the post.
Soon after, the Reds did have a second, as Max Woltman slotted the ball past Maguire for his second goal in as many games, and minutes later, the comeback was complete.
Harvey Blair, who changed the game for the Reds after being introduced in place of Frauendorf, thumped home with an excellent strike from a tight angle.
With 10 minutes remaining, the Reds thought they’d gone ahead when Stewart got on the end of Norris’ cross to tap home, but the flag was up for offside.
Both sides had chances to win it, but it ended all square, with the Reds heading home with their heads held high after an inspired second half comeback.
Liverpool U21s: Davies; Stephenson, Quansah, Jonas, Chambers; Corness, Norris, Cain; Frauendorf (Blair), Woltman (O’Rourke), Stewart (Cannonier)
Subs not used: Kelly, Olufunwa
Next match: Salford City (A) – EFL Trophy – Tuesday, August 30, 7.30pm (BST)
