Liverpool humiliated West Brom on Saturday and, despite Rio Ngmoha making his Under-21 debut, there were few positives to be taken from the 5-0 home defeat.
Liverpool U21 0-5 West Brom U21
Premier League 2, AXA Training Center
January 18, 2025
Goals: Soulet 14:86, Cleary 38:47, Carton 94.
Barry Lutas’ side were looking to bounce back after losing 3-1 at home to Sparta Prague earlier in the week, but things didn’t go well.
Liverpool’s starting XI included players who had played in the first team this season, such as Trey Nyoni and Ngmoha.
In an unusual development, the 16-year-old made his first-team debut before appearing for the Under-21s, most recently becoming the Reds’ youngest ever starter against Accrington Stanley.
However, he has already appeared in 13 games for the U-18 and U-19 teams this season.
In fact, Ngmoha was Liverpool’s lone ray of hope for much of Saturday’s game against West Brom, showing glimpses of his attacking qualities.
The teenager, placed on the left wing, always looked a threat despite being doubled up, and one of his great pieces of work led to a shot from Nyoni.
However, even though it was the Reds who were the quickest to get out of the trap, West Brom cruised to victory and enjoyed more of the ball.
Baggies forward Eseosa Sule opened the scoring for the visitors, but it was a controversial moment as Jayden Dunn’s pass appeared to hit a West Brom player in the arm in the lead-up.
Reyes Cleary doubled their advantage just before half-time, scoring his second goal of the afternoon shortly after the restart to keep West Brom out of sight.
Both Trent Cone-Doherty and Dans tested goalkeeper Joe Wallis, but ultimately it was not to be Liverpool’s day.
Goals from Soule and Archie Carton late in the game rubbed salt into the Reds’ wounds, ending a 5-0 rout on a tough afternoon for Loutas and his players.
This defeat left Liverpool in sixth place in the Premier League 2 table. The fact that West Brom are languishing in 19th place shows just how poor a result it was.
The Reds will next face 23rd-placed Tottenham next Sunday at 1pm as they aim to get back on track.
Liverpool U21: Davies. Mabaya (Miles 71 minutes), Davidson, Lackey (Pinnington 83 minutes), Naro. Pilling, Cone Doherty, Nyoni (Kelly 71 minutes). Morrison, Dans (Young 60′), Ngmoha
Sub-unused: Misciur
Next match: Tottenham (A) – PL 2 – Sunday 26th January, 1pm (GMT)
