Liverpool U23s End Season on a High

Liverpool’s U23s have had a pretty decent week so far. They ended their competitive season on Monday with a 2-1 win against Everton, the U23 title winners, and then went on to beat Mansfield 4-1 in a Thursday afternoon friendly at Kirkby.

Mike Garrity’s side turned up in style for Monday’s victory at Goodison Park, with spectacular goals from Sheyi Ojo and Trent Alexander-Arnold at the sixth and fifty-eighth minute, respectively. While Calum Dyson managed to sneak in a late equalizer for Everton, the Reds managed to hold on to their lead until the final whistle blew.

Thursday’s game against Mansfield saw an almost entirely different team, with Garrity making eleven changes from Monday’s game, including Cameron Brannagan, who returned from loan at Fleetwood Town, and Lloyd Jones, returned from Swindon.

Liverpool’s U23s once again dominated the game, and went 1-0 up just eight minutes into the game with a powerful header from Jones after a corner from Brannagan. Brannagan also provided the assist on Liverpool’s second: his free-kick rebounded off the posts and Toni Gomes was on hand to drive it home. Gomes’ second and third came in the second half, and he concluded his hat-trick with a gorgeous header. Mansfield’s only goal came from a penalty.

If nothing else, the past week has been a demonstration of the abundance of talent Klopp has to work with in the U23s as he looks to expand his squad next season.