Neil Critchley's Liverpool U18s put four past league leaders Middlesbrough on Saturday afternoon as they romped to a comfortable 4-1 win.
The Reds gave themselves a two-nil lead before the break, courtesy of goals from the impressive duo of Sergi Canos and Harry Wilson, before the Welsh winger added a third in the second 45. The visitors struck back through Jordan Jowers, but highly-rated Sheyi Ojo sealed the victory with a fourth as the young Reds ended their calendar year in sublime fashion at the Kirkby Academy.
Dominating from start to finish, Liverpool's youngster thoroughly deserved the three points, and took the lead after a wonderful attacking move early on. Ojo and Canos interchanged with possession as they weaved their way through Boro's back-line, before the latter found the roof of the net from a tight angle for the opening goal.
From there on in, Critchley's side were on top, and added to their lead not too long after. Canos was brought down on the right flank in the 20th minute, and from the resulting costless-kick - Wilson's delivery evaded everyone and found the bottom corner to make it 2-0.
With all the momentum, the Reds soon earned themselves a spot-kick after Canos found Ovie Ejaria and released him into the box before he was brought down. Ojo stepped up for the spot-kick, but Thomas Dawson guessed the right way - sending a strong palm to his right to deny the electric winger.
Ojo wasn't dispirited by his penalty miss, and continued to trouble. He beat three Middlesbrough defenders before releasing Wilson, who clipped over Dawson and into the back of the net for a third goal of the afternoon.
There was some rest-bite for Boro, after Harrison Chapman rattled the post with a well-hit strike, Jordan Jowers was first to the rebound to send his shot off the underside of the crossbar and in for 3-1.
Though Liverpool continued to search for more goals and found a deserved fourth through Ojo. The youngster cut between two players, to curl home the goal that sealed the win with the inside of his boot.
In the final minutes, Chapman, Boro's best player of the game, was rightly on the end of a straight red card for a harsh foul on Rossiter, before the game ended 4-1 to bring a sensational end to the calendar year for Critchley's side.
It was a thoroughly accomplished performance with the attacking trio of Ojo, Canos and Wilson causing all ends of problems whilst Jordan Rossiter, who asked to feature in the game, and Pedro Chivirella, pulled the strings from the midfield. They now sit fourth in the U18s Premier League, 10 points off of Boro having played one game more.
Liverpool U18s: Fulton, Lewis, Travis, Brewitt, Whelan, Rossiter, Canos, Chirivella (Phillips), Ojo, Ejaria (Marsh), Wilson. Unused substitutes: Firth, Polgar.