Liverpool U-23s Maintain Momentum With Victory Over Sunderland

Danny Ings played a big part on Sunday in maintaining the Liverpool U-23 squad's hot streak by scoring twice in their 3-0 victory over a tough Sunderland U-23 side at Prenton Park. Liverpool's young guns have now won four on the trot in the new Premier League 2 competition, including a stretch in which they outscored their Arsenal, Spurs and Leicester City counterparts by an aggregate of thirteen goals to three.

Though he made a reappearance with the first team during Liverpool's midweek EFL action against Derby County, it's clear that Ings hasn't quite been at the point where manager Jürgen Klopp is ready to start him in the Premier League. Rather than sulk about the assignment to the U-23s, however, Ings appears content to do his talking on the pitch, and his recent performances will keep the pressure on Klopp to find more minutes for the young striker.

Despite some good early work from the hosts' attackers (including Wilson, Ejaria and Woodburn again), Sunderland held firm against Liverpool in their first half. Soon after the break, however, Ings was in the right place at the right time to slot home from close range after desperate rearguard action by Sunderland to fend of sustained pressure by Liverpool.

Ings then added a second in the 64th minute with a highlight reel diving header after he was found (admittedly in a generous amount of space) by Pedro Chirivella following a quickly worked free kick sequence. Trent Alexander-Arnold effectively closed the book on the contest by adding a third for Liverpool with just about a quarter of an hour remaining in the match.

With their win, Liverpool's U-23 side have moved up to third place in Premier League 2, just a point behind leaders Southampton. Sunderland, no slouches themselves in this competition, slipped to fifth place. Next up for Michael Beale's side are Manchester United, currently in eight place.