Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp runs rule as teenager…

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp runs rule as teenager scores winner on birthday

Birthday boy Max Woltman was the matchwinner as Liverpool earned their first Premier League 2 victory of the season against Blackburn Rovers.

Woltman celebrated his 19th birthday by netting the only goal with 17 minutes remaining as the Reds' under-21 side secured a narrow 1-0 triumph at the Academy in Kirkby on Saturday afternoon.

Barry Lewtas's side - who had opened the campaign with defeat to Manchester City and a draw at Brighton and Hove Albion - dominated the game but were constantly frustrated by either a poor final pass or some inspired goalkeeping from Blackburn's Aidan Dowling.

With Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp and assistant Pep Lijnders among those watching, the Reds enjoyed the better of the first half and were incredibly unfortunate not to go ahead inside the opening 15 minutes. A corner from Jake Cain was glanced by Jarell Quansah on to the far post before floating along the line and hitting the opposite post, with Blackburn scrambling the ball clear before Oakley Cannonier could pounce.

Cannonier had earlier got his header wrong from a Luke Chambers cross, while later Isaac Mabaya struck narrowly wide and Melkamu Frauendorf's fierce drive was brilliantly parried at close range by Dowling.

However, Reds goalkeeper Harvey Davies twice stood tall in one-on-ones to prevent Blackburn going ahead shortly before the interval. Davies first denied Sam Burns after the visiting striker dispossessed Isaac Mabaya on the halfway line and raced clear, and then clutched a Jared Harlock effort.

Lee Jonas was denied from a corner shortly after half-time by a sprawling Dowling, who then produced fine saves to keep out Cain free-kicks in quick succession, both times after Frauendorf had been upended.

But Liverpool finally made the breakthrough on 73 minutes. Mabaya won the ball high up the right wing and fed Jack Bearne, whose shot was deflected into the path of fellow substitute James Norris on the edge of the area to cleverly roll the ball left to Woltman, who finished confidently into the bottom corner.

Harvey Blair almost made an immediate impact from the bench when his effort was saved by the busy Dowling while, at the other end, the impressive centre-back Lee Jonas helped the Reds keep a clean sheet.

Liverpool are next in Premier League 2 action on Friday when they visit Tottenham Hotspur (kick-off 7pm).

LIVERPOOL (4-3-3): Davies; Mabaya (Stephenson 80), Jonas, Quansah, Chambers; Bajcetic (Norris 46), Clark (Corness 46), Cain (Bearne 65); Frauendorf, Cannonier (Blair 80), Woltman.

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