Liverpool Defeat For Leicester’s Development Squad
Monday’s team showed two changes from the one that triumphed over Blackburn Rovers Under-23s a week ago, with Brad Young replacing Chituru Odunze in goal and Thanawat Suengchitthawon coming in for Terell Pennant.
After three straight wins, the Foxes youngsters came into the game at LCFC Training Ground with plenty of confidence, but Liverpool were unbeaten in six themselves and started the better of the two sides. Layton Stewart fired wide early on, shortly before Young had to be alert to charge out and claim the ball ahead of Harvey Elliott.
The first signs of a Leicester attack were initiated by Lewis Brunt driving forward and finding Wanya Marcal-Madivadua, who cut inside to open the angle and strike wide of the near post.
That move was soon followed by Tawanda Maswanhise playing in Popov, who cut back inside but could only muster a weak shot that Harvey Davies comfortably held. Thailand international Suengchitthawon then struck wide from distance.
But the Reds were back in the ascendency as Stewart saw a shot blocked in the box, with his follow up held by Young. Elliott’s dangerous free-kick had to be tipped over by Young, Tyler Morton also struck a first-time shot off target.
Opportunities continued to flow for the away side when James Norris pinched back possession, picking out Stewart, but Ben Nelson managed to hook the ball off the line.
Norris would not be denied three minutes into stoppage time, however, set up by Morton winning the ball back in almost the final action of the half, though it was somewhat fortunate as his strike from the edge of the box took a deflection off Brunt before nestling into the back of the net.
Leicester were dealt an early blow in the second period as Nelson picked up an injury two minutes into the half and the away side took advantage of the enforced defensive reshuffle within two minutes. Owen Beck slid the ball through for Bearne, who slotted beyond the onrushing Young to double their lead.
The goal of the night belonged to Stewart, who fired a powerful first-time strike in off the post on the hour mark, after some neat one-touch play around the box, to ensure Liverpool would take home the points.
Ben Petty made changes in attacking areas in an attempt to get back into the contest, with Terell Pennant and Ethan Fitzhugh both introduced, though City fashioned few chances as the Reds controlled the majority of the second half.
And the visitors went close to adding to the scoreline via another mazy run from Beck, who eventually saw his shot blocked by Brunt.
The fourth was added with six to play, created and scored by substitute James Balagizi teeing up Bearne for another strike, with the initial effort coming back off the crossbar, enabling Balagizi to head in the rebound.
To their credit, City kept on plugging away and in the closing stages Will Alves showed close control to get a shot away from a tight angle, forcing Davies into a save. Alves then tried to turn provider with a looping cross to Pennant, who was unable to force home a consolation.
Major moment…
Had the Foxes managed to remain level at the interval, it may have been a different story in the second half, but James Norris’ goal changed both team talks and subsequently led to a dominant display from Liverpool.
Where do we stand?
Leicester drop down to sixth in the Premier League 2 Division standings, remaining on 37 points, with Liverpool moving above the young Foxes on goal difference.
Coming up...
The final game of the 2021/22 Premier League 2 season sees City’s Development Squad travel to meet Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park on Monday 2 May (7pm BST kick-off).
The details...
City: Young, Brunt (c), B. Nelson (Hughes 47’), Flynn; Wormleighton, Alves, Braybrooke, Marcal-Madivadua; Suengchitthawon, Popov (Fitzhugh 74’), Maswanhise (T. Pennant 61’).
Subs not used: Chibueze, K. Penannt.