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Liverpool Echo
Liverpool Echo
Sport
Ian Doyle

Kaide Gordon scores wonder goal as Liverpool complete Crystal Palace treble

Kaide Gordon scored a wonderful solo goal as the under-23s helped Liverpool complete a treble of triumphs over Crystal Palace.

After victories for the senior and women's teams on Sunday, Barry Lewtas's side scrapped to a 2-0 Premier League 2 triumph at the Crystal Palace Academy on Monday afternoon.

Woltman struck the opener after 19 minutes before Gordon, who had missed a penalty on the stroke of half-time, raced away in injury time to seal the victory.

The result means the U23s remain unbeaten in 2022 and was deserved reward for a sterling defensive effort and a fine showing from goalkeeper Marcelo Pitaluga.

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Palace included five first-team players in their starting line-up, including former Liverpool defenders Nathaniel Clyne and Martin Kelly.

Chances were few and far between during a closely-fought first half, with the Reds scoring from their only real opening.

It was a well-worked goal, too. Clarkson charged down an attempted pass around the halfway line by Jack Wells-Morrison, with Gordon then picking up the loose pass and playing inside to Tyler Morton, who instantly released Clarkson down the right.

The midfielder then crossed low into the area where Woltman arrived first to finish from close range.

Palace ended the half the stronger and almost levelled on 39 minutes from a corner, Billy Koumetio blocking a shot from John-Kymani Gordon and, from the rebound, Kelly having a shot clutched by Pitaluga.

But the Reds spurned a chance to double their lead on the stroke of half-time when a fine Gordon run down the right was ended by a foul challenge from Omotayo Adaramola inside the area. Gordon took the penalty, but Palace goalkeeper Remi Matthews dived the right way to save.

The second half followed the same pattern, with Pitaluga required to make a decent stop from Jesuran Rak-Sakyi and later denying Rob Street before a strong defensive block kept out Nya Kirby.

Nathan Ferguson headed wastefully wide from a corner for Palace but Gordon made the game safe in the second minute of injury time.

As Palace piled forward, Liverpool countered with Morton finding Gordon 10 yards inside his own half down the right flank. The winger than raced towards the Palace box, cut inside three defenders and curled a left-footed shot low into the bottom corner.

Liverpool U23s are next in Premier League 2 action on Monday, February 7 when they travel to Leeds United (kick-off 7pm).

LIVERPOOL (4-3-3): Pitaluga; Bradley, Quansah, Koumetio, Beck; Clarkson, Morton, Balagizi (Clayton 82); Gordon, Woltman (Bearne 88), Norris. Subs: Kelly, O'Rourke. BOOKING: Bradley.

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