U23s Report: Leicester City 2 Liverpool 1

- Harry Wilson headed in on the stroke of half-time to give Liverpool the lead 

- Layton Ndukwu equalised five minutes into the second period 

- Ndukwu netted from inside his own half to win it for City 

- Both Ben Chilwell and Yohan Benalouane featured for the Foxes 

A sensational strike from Layton Ndukwu helped Leicester City’s Development Squad round off their 2016/17 Premier League International Cup campaign with a 2-1 win over Liverpool at St. George’s Park on Saturday. 

Despite dominating proceedings in the first period, the Foxes fell behind on the stroke of half-time after Harry Wilson headed in from 10 yards out. 

But a brilliant response from City saw them draw level through Ndukwu, before the winger produced a special strike to win it for his side. 

Collecting the ball in his own half, Ndukwu caught Liverpool goalkeeper Kamil Grabara off his line with an effort any forward, in any league, would be proud of. 

While unable to qualify for the knockout stages of the Premier League International Cup, the clash against a strong Liverpool side was without doubt a valuable one. 

That was perhaps most evident for the Foxes’ forward line, who came up against France international Mamadou Sakho, formerly of Ligue 1 giants Paris Saint-Germain. 

Both Ben Chilwell and Yohan Benalouane featured in a game that Steve Beaglehole’s outfit started well in, as midfielder Harvey Barnes blasted into the side-netting from a tight angle inside 10 minutes. 

The visitors responded and went close to taking the lead through Juanma Garcia’s 25-yard drive shortly after Barnes’ effort. 

Good work from Chilwell down the left flank then saw the England Under-21s international square to Admiral Muskwe, who couldn’t get a clean connection at the front post. 

Only a fine save from Liverpool stopper Grabara kept out Ndukwu with 26 minutes gone, while Dylan Watts was unfortunate not to convert a Barnes cross moments later. 

Barnes had an effort of his own saved by Grabara just after the half-hour mark, before Muskwe curled inches wide on the stroke of half-time. 

There was still time for a final first-half attack and it was one that Liverpool capitalised on. Garcia stood up a cross to Wilson, who headed past Max Bramley from close range to give the Reds a 1-0 lead against the run of play. 

The Foxes made a brilliant start to the second period and got themselves on level terms though Ndukwu, as the tricky winger converted after a surging run from Barnes. 

Bramley, who earlier denied Brooks Lennon, then pulled off another brilliant stop to keep the forward out with 57 minutes on the clock. 

A wild effort from Darnell Johnson failed to test Grabara after the hour mark, before the right back nodded Ndukwu’s corner over inside the final 20 minutes. 

Both sides battled away for a decisive goal and that came in stunning fashion with 77 minutes gone. Ndukwu picked up the ball and lifted a simply superb effort over the top of Grabara from inside his own half. 

The Merseyside outfit threatened to level things late on, but Lennon couldn’t convert a free kick from the edge of the box, while Bramley stood strong with an excellent save in injury time. 

CITY: Bramley, Johnson, Kipre, Benalouane (c), Chilwell (Wood 70), Miles (Moore 8), Watts, Barnes, Ndukwu, Mitchell, Muskwe 

SUBS NOT USED: Yates, Uche, Bolkiah 

GOALS: Ndukwu 50, 77 

LIVERPOOL: Grabara, Gomez, Garcia, Ilori, Sakho, Williams, Wilson (c), Chirivella (Alves 68), Lennon, Brannagan (Virtue 68), Ojo (M. Gomes 68) 

SUBS NOT USED: T. Gomes, Atheron, Virtue, Whelan, Brimmer 

GOAL: Wilson 45 

REFEREE: Anthony Serrano