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Liverpool Echo
Liverpool Echo
Sport
Richard Garnett

Liverpool striker scores 41st goal of season in five goal thriller

Liverpool under 18s had to come from behind twice to snatch a dramatic injury time victory against Sunderland on Saturday in a match that ended 3-2 to the Reds.

And it was left to 17-year-old prolific marksman Oakley Cannonier to clinch all three points, netting his 41st goal of an incredible season in stoppage time.

The hosts took the lead as early as the seventh minute via Ben Middlemas, but after Melkamu Frauendorf was taken down in the penalty area, Luke Chambers drew the Reds level from the spot.

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The Black Cats reaffirmed their advantage early in the second half when Oliver Bainbridge converted a close range header, but James McConnell - a former Sunderland player - evened up evening the contest once against with 20 minutes remaining.

It looked like the Reds would have to settle for a point, but Cannonier - renowned for his role as the ball boy who threw the ball to Trent Alexander-Arnold for his famous quickly-taken corner against Barcelona in the 2019 Champions League semi-final - was not to be denied.

As the match ticked into time added on, Cannonier snatched a winner for the Reds at the Academy of Light, delighting his teammates and leaving the Black Cats crestfallen. The result consolidates Liverpool under 18s' second place position in the U18 Premier League North, but they are unlikely to catch leaders Manchester City, who beat Derby County to maintain a seven point gap at the summit.

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