Sunderland U23s 1-4 Liverpool U23s
Sunderland under-23s were beaten by Liverpool at the Stadium of Light on Sunday as Rhian Brewster, Matthew Virtue and Ben Woodburn sealed three points for the Premier League 2 pace-setters.
The Black Cats fell behind to an early penalty before Joel Asoro levelled, but the second period belonged to Liverpool as three late goals clinched victory.
BACK AT IT
Elliott Dickman was able to name a strong side against the PL2 leaders despite several under-23 regulars traveling to Wolverhampton Wanderers. Elliot Embleton made his senior debut late on at Molineux but he was included in the starting XI alongside Tom Beadling and Joel Asoro, both of whom were unused substitutes in the Sky Bet Championship stalemate. Josh Maja was also handed a start as he continued his return to full fitness.
ADVANTAGE MERSEYSIDE
Liverpool led after just four minutes at the Stadium of Light as Cameron Brannagan struck from the spot. Ethan Robson clipped Harry Wilson inside the box and after having a long look at it the referee awarded the penalty, but despite going the right way Mika was unable to keep it out, as Brannagan’s thumping spot kick powered into the corner. The Black Cats responded well and they immediately sought about finding an equaliser, with Maja going closest as his effort deflected wide following a surging run from Denver Hume.
WOODBURN PULLS THE STRINGS
Woodburn, who made his Wales debut at 17 under Chris Coleman, led the way for the Reds and he impressed in the no.10 role, as Brewster led the line and put constant pressure on the Black Cats. The duo combined on 15 minutes as Woodburn’s clipped pass caused indecision in the box, but despite coming and missing the ball, Mika's presence was enough to deter Brewster as the ball rolled out of play. And the Reds continued their attempts to beat the offside trap as Wilson was flagged one on one following good vision from Herbie Kane.
ASORO LEVELS
Sunderland continued to toil but they had to be persistant against a tough-tackling Liverpool side. Maja received the worst of the damage as the Reds dished out some heavy challenges, but the forward dusted himself down and played a part in Sunderland’s equaliser. After losing his man, Maja flashed a wicked ball across the six-yard box where Asoro almost connected, but seconds later the Swede was wheeling away in delight after Greenwood put the ball back into the mix and he headed beyond Kamil Grabara.
BLACK CATS FRUSTRATE REDS
Liverpool applied most of the pressure following the restart as Wilson and Brewster both saw chances come and go. A superb first touch from Wilson allowed him time and space in the box, but after measuring his strike he blazed over before a last-ditch interception from Beadling saw Brewster’s effort loop over the top. Sunderland continued to frustrate the visitors and tempers flared as the game entered the final stages, with the sides coming together after the Reds took exception to Ethan Robson’s challenge on Wilson.
RESISTANCE BROKEN
Despite seeing less of the ball, the Black Cats were relatively comfortable and had they kept their concentration a point was likely, but on 74 minutes they opened the door and they were punished. Alex Storey was dispossessed by Brewster in the centre of the park and despite his best efforts he was unable to recover as the striker raced into the box and sent a ruthless finish past Mika. Virtue struck the woodwork five minutes later but the Black Cats failed to regroup and when the ball came back into the box the defender made no mistake at the second time of asking. And the Reds administered further punishment before the final whistle, as Woodburn’s 25-yard strike completed the scoring.
Sunderland: Mika, J Robson, Hume, Beadling, Taylor (Gamble 65), Storey, Asoro, E Robson (Allan 89), Maja (Bale 89), Embleton, Greenwood.
Subs: Brotherton, Talbot.
Liverpool: Grabara, Virtue, Johnston (Garcia 85), Jones, Whelan, Brannagan, Wilson, Kane, Brewster (Alves 85), Woodburn, Dhanda (Adekanye 62).
Subs: Atherton, Parker.