Liverpool 3 (Figueroa 16, 21, 29) Wolves 0
A 13-minute hat-trick from Liverpool’s Keyrol Figueroa condemned Wolves under-18s to defeat on Merseyside.
The Reds stormed out of the blocks and were three goals to the good inside 29 minutes, with Figueroa claiming all three.
Wolves were unable to change their fortunes after the break and were forced to play the majority of the second half with 10 men, as Testimony Igbinoghene was shown a straight red card just two minutes after the interval.
Despite the defeat, James McPike was able to call upon Leon Chiwome and Ethan McLeod, who both made their returns from injury, while defender Brayden Clarke was also handed a start after securing EURO under-17 qualification with Wales last week.
Figueroa was a threat from the outset and had to be denied by a superb Stan Amos save just 10 minutes in, as the goalkeeper tipped a well-struck volley over his crossbar.
And although Amos did well to save again from Josh Davidson, his resilience was broken on 16 minutes when Jayden Danns played Figueroa in on goal and the forward did the rest, smashing into the net for his first of the afternoon.
The home side doubled their advantage five minutes later and it was Figueroa again who found his name on the scoresheet. Michael Laffey delivered a corner into the box and found the head of Figueroa who looped his effort over Amos.
The youngster completed his hat-trick just shy of the half-hour mark when Wolves were unable to clear their lines and Figueroa had the simple task of slotting into an empty net.
McPike’s side came within a lick of paint of reducing the deficit on two separate occasions, hitting the post twice before the interval. Fraser Harper connected with a cut-back and saw his effort strike the upright, before substitute Owen Farmer got in behind but also hit the frame of the goal.
Half-time | Liverpool 3-0 Wolves
While trying to claw their way back into the game, Wolves were dealt a blow when, just two minutes into the second half, Igbinoghene was shown a straight red card for a challenge on Laffey.
A triple change with 25 minutes to go saw Fabian Salmon, Mo Diomande and Hayden Carson all enter the pitch, as the visitors fought hard with 10 men.
However, with their man advantage, Liverpool were the side able to carve out a few more openings as they looked to increase their lead.
Lewis Koumas and Afolami Ononuga both found themselves in promising positions to score, but were unable to hit the target, while Luca Furnell-Gill and Danns were next to strike high and wide.
Wolves came close to a late consolation, but Reds goalkeeper Fabian Mrozek reacted well to preserve his clean sheet and the points went the way of Liverpool.
Full-time | Liverpool 3-0 Wolves
NEXT THREE
- 22/04 Leeds United (H)
- 25/04 Manchester United (A)
- 29/04 Middlesbrough (A)
TEAMS
Liverpool | Mrozek, Davidson (Roberts 87), Furnell-Gill, Pitt, Scanlon, Kelly (Osborne 70), Laffey, Onanuga, Figueroa (Gift 78), Koumas, Danns.
Unused subs | Hayes-Green, Hewitson.
Wolves | Amos, Kaleta (Salmon 65), Mabete, Bradbury, Clarke (Carson 65), Igbinoghene, E. McLeod (Farmer 22), Rees, Chiwome (Edozie 46), Harper, Reynolds (Diomande 65).
