U21 report | Liverpool 4-1 Wolves

Liverpool 4 (Nyoni 25, Young 31, 53, Hill 34) Wolves 1 (Griffiths pen 20)

Wolves under-21s suffered a first Premier League 2 defeat since the end of September at Liverpool on Saturday afternoon.

Despite taking the lead from the penalty spot through Harvey Griffiths, four goals in a 28-minute period for the Reds were more than enough for the points on Merseyside.

James Collins’ side made a positive start to the game and came close when Finn Ashworth’s deflected effort from the edge of the box was tipped around the post by Kornel Misciur.

The Old Gold were then awarded a penalty when Ethan Sutherland’s cross into the box caused problems and Owen Farmer was tripped at the back post. Griffiths, starting his first game of the season, stepped up and fired his spot-kick into the bottom right corner, despite the best attempts of Miscuir.

Wolves had a glorious opportunity to make it two when Dani Angel was slipped in behind by Matty Whittingham but, on his preferred left foot, the striker could only drag wide of the far post.

The home side levelled just five minutes after going behind when Dominic Corness capitalised on a loose Whittingham touch before allowing Trey Nyoni to cut onto his left and fire low past Lewys Benjamin.

Welsh stopper Benjamin made a superb save to deny Lee Jonas’ header from a corner, tipping the ball onto the crossbar to ensure the scoreline remained level.

However, the Reds were able to keep the ball alive and when a cross from Kieron Morrison came into the box, Ranel Young was able to flick on for 2-1.

And before Wolves knew it, it was three. Morrison’s whipped ball into the box was met by Tom Hill who exquisitely flicked the ball past Benjamin at the near post.

Half-time | Liverpool 3-1 Wolves

Liverpool added a fourth eight minutes into the second period when Young was able to beat the offside trap following a ball over the top before coolly slotting past Benjamin.

Nyoni was lively for the home side and after jinking past a couple of Wolves markers looked to notch a fifth, but he could only fire into the side netting.

At the other end, the Old Gold though they’d reduced the deficit to two when Fil Mabete crossed low for Caden Voice to tap home, but the defender was judged to have been standing in an offside position.

Wolves had Benjamin to thank for the score remaining at four when he stuck out a strong palm to deny Tommy Pilling, before comfortably holding Trent Kone-Doherty’s long-range strike.

Full-time | Liverpool 4-1 Wolves

COMING UP

Wolves under-21s begin their National League Cup campaign away to Oldham Athletic on Wednesday evening.

NEXT THREE

• 06/11 Oldham Athletic (A) National League Cup
• 12/11 Salford City (A) BSM Trophy
• 25/11 Huddersfield Town (A) PL Cup

TEAMS

Liverpool | Misciur, Mabaya (Davidson 46), Norris, Jonas, Nallo (Pillington 76), Corness, Morrison, Hill, Young (Figueroa 77), Nyoni, Pilling (Kone-Doherty 69).

Subs not used | Trueman.

Wolves | Benjamin, Okoduwa, Voice, Mabete, Ojinnaka, Ashworth, Farmer (Lopes 71), Griffiths (Bradbury 46), Angel (Holman 71), Whittingham, Sutherland (Igbinoghene 72).

Subs not used | Reynolds.