Analysis of Liverpool Under-18s’ dramatic 2-1 win over Everton in the Merseyside mini-derby on Saturday
Liverpool beat Everton in the under-18 Merseyside mini-derby on Saturday afternoon.
Trey Nyoni scored a 96th-minute winner at Kirkby The Academy after Jayden Danns had canceled out Martin Sherif’s early Blues opener. The ECHO was on hand to analyze the Blues’ win.
Winged wizards
If there is one obvious attacking tactic at Liverpool under Jurgen Klopp, it is the importance of a wide forward.
While Klopp can call up Mohamed Salah and Luis Diaz in the senior squad, Ben Doak and Kaide Gordon will also compete for a place in the long term. Further down the chain, Trent Kone-Doherty and Ranel Young are two other wingers taking tentative steps towards a long-term playing career. The pair were impressive in this fun mini-derby on Saturday morning.
Kone-Doherty was an integral part of an electric forward line alongside Doak and Oakley Cannonier in the UEFA Youth League last season. Young Scotsman Doak can now rub shoulders with Salah and others on the fringes of the first team, but Irish winger Kone-Doherty is still learning his trade in the youth side.
Three goals and as many this season before kick-off, Kone-Doherty came into this one in fine form and once again showed typical winger style. determined to lead Everton’s defence. One strong run in the first half brought a shot to Afolama Onahuga as the young Blues looked to double up as often as possible to limit the influence of the former Derry City starter.
Young, on the other hand, was even more impressive when he set up Danns’ assist for the equalizer and constantly caused problems for left-back Josh van Schoor, who had no answer to the No.7’s passing ability.
Between them, the two wide men were integral to what Marc Bridge-Wilkinson tried to do from an attacking perspective, with Danns left in the middle as a more traditional No.9. Young’s day lasted less than an hour, he was forced off the field with an injury and replaced by Kareem Ahmed.
Kone-Doherty looked to have won it inside the last 10 minutes, but after creating space for a shot, his well-struck effort was superbly stopped by George Pickford, who had a great afternoon in goal for Everton.
Come on, man
Jayden Danns excellent start to the season continues. The forward took his tally for the season to seven from close range, canceling out Martin Sheriff’s opener for the Blues.
The son of ex-Bolton winger Neil is unlikely to score a major goal this season, but he wouldn’t have minded for a second as he struck to equalize at home shortly after seeing his side fall behind.
Danns has consistently led the way here and has been involved in everything Kirkby Academy has tackled. With flying wingers Kone-Doherty and Young either side of him, his movement caused problems all afternoon and his willingness to go deep and link up also stood out.
One particular move ended with another forward pass at the end of the first half when the defender’s flag was raised, perhaps harshly. In the week he made his under-21 debut – a memorable and convincing 3-0 win over Morecambe in the EFL Trophy – an outstanding performance and goal against the local foes made for a perfect week for the number. 9. Now the challenge is to create more like it in a few encouraging days.
Nyoni is already making waves
A player who only turned 16 in June, Trey Nyon is already making his mark at Kirkby Academy; A 96th minute winner against Everton at any level is sure to make people sit up and take notice.
The attacking midfielder has already represented England at U16 level but also has Zimbabwean citizenship through his family and made 13 appearances for Leicester U18s before moving to Merseyside in the summer.
He was excellent here against Everton as one of half a dozen under-16s in the squad. After a hat-trick in a pre-season friendly against Southend was followed by a goal against Blackburn last week, Nyoni was back on the scoreboard with a vital game-winning contribution from the dying embers. Having switched to U18 football in December, Nyoni is only growing at this level and is already becoming an influential member of Marc Bridge-Wilkinson’s club.
Nyoni, an athletic attacking midfielder, was neat and tidy when needed, but also had the ability to make more difficult passes when playing between Kone-Doherty and Young.
Part of Matt Newberry’s role as the Academy’s head of recruitment is to bring in the most talented young talent from across the UK, a policy that has led to the signing of players such as Doak, Gordon, Bobby Clarke and Calum Scanlon in recent years. . It’s just the beginning for 16-year-old Nyon, and while there’s no rush, the early evidence that he can finish second in this group is more than encouraging.
