Liverpool Under-21s beat Hull City 5-0 in their latest pre-season friendly on Friday
Oakley Cannonier scored a hat-trick as Liverpool Under-21s thrashed Hull City 5-0 in their latest pre-season friendly on Friday.
Isaac Mabaya also made his return from long-term injury as a second half substitute for the young Reds at the Academy, as they came out on top against a Tigers side who finished the game with nine men after having two players sent off for dissent.
Mateusz Musialowski had already been denied by goalkeeper Owen Foster in the opening five minutes, before Tommy Pilling opened the scoring in the 12th minute. Running onto Luca Stephenson’s long ball over the top, the midfielder got in behind Hull defence’s before slotting home into the far corner.
Cannonier would get his first of the game midway through the first half, getting on the end of Francis Gyimah’s low cross into the box following good play down the left by the overlapping full-back.
The striker then made it 3-0 on the stroke of half-time thanks to a stunning solo-run from Trent Kone-Doherty, minutes after Musialowski had seen a free-kick whistle over the crossbar. The winger beat three defenders on the right before playing the ball back to Cannonier, who finished confidently into the far corner.
Mabaya made his after 65 minutes, replacing Terence Miles as part of a double substitution alongside player-coach Jay Spearing. The 18-year-old’s comeback was a welcome sight, having not featured for the young Reds since last October because of a persistent ankle injury – just a couple of months after impressing for Jurgen Klopp’s first team last pre-season.
Cannonier was unfortunate not to claim his hat-trick after more good wing-play from Kone Doherty, as his flicked finish drifted just wide of the post, while he’d also see a further effort chalked off for offside.
Instead, Liverpool’s fourth would come courtesy of Billy Koumetio. After an initial corner was cleared, the Frenchman was in the right place at the right time to volley home James Norris’ cross back into the box.
Hull were reduced to 10 men following Koumetio’s goal as Jim Simms was sent off for dissent. Joseph Johnson was then sent off for dissent in the final minutes of the match, before Cannonier got his hat-trick.
Substitute Mabaya marked his return with a memorable assist as cut the ball back for the forward, who wrapped the scoring up with a deflected effort inside the box.
The emphatic victory saw the young Reds maintain their unbeaten pre-season, having drawn 2-2 with Peterborough United before recording a 1-0 victory away at Kidderminster Harriers and 2-1 home win over Blackpool.
Liverpool Under-21s found out earlier this week that they will start their Premier League 2 campaign with a Merseyside derby at home to Everton on Monday 14 August.
Liverpool U21s:Â Jaros (Pitaluga, 45), Miles (Mabaya, 65), Gyimah (Osborne, 78), Pinnington (Spearing, 65), Koumetio, Stephenson, Kone-Doherty, Pilling, Cannonier, Norris, Musialowski.
