Kieran Morrison scored an impressive hat-trick as Liverpool kept up the pressure at the top of the U18 Premier League North.
Morrison, who only turns 17 next week, netted once in the first half and twice after the break as the young Reds earned a 3-1 triumph over Middlesbrough at the Academy on Saturday afternoon.
Goalkeeper Kornel Misciur, signed in the summer from Hull City, saved a penalty as Marc Bridge-Wilkinson's side responded to two successive defeats by moving to within three points of leaders Manchester United in second place.
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With top scorer Jayden Danns injured and Trey Nyoni with the under-21s, opportunity knocked for a number of younger players at the Academy as Josh Sonni-Lambie made his first start for the U18s.
Charlie Lennon missed an early chance for Middlesbrough when hitting the side-netting, while Francis Gymiah got his shot all wrong when found by Morrison's cutback.
Liverpool went ahead on 26 minutes, Ranel Young released into the area by Kyle Kelly's pass for a shot that deflected off a defender, goalkeeper Cameron Simpson and then the crossbar before winger Morrison tapped in the rebound. Middlesbrough, though, were level within 10 minutes, Rio Patterson-Powell crossing from the left for Frankie Coulson to side-foot home.
The visitors ended the half the stronger but Liverpool regained the lead two minutes into the second half when Morrison powered home a loose ball into the roof of the net. But they were indebted shortly afterwards to Misciur who, after Wellity Lucky fouled Patterson-Powell, saved a spot kick from the Middlesbrough man with his feet before the rebound hit the woodwork.
And with Middlesbrough pressing for an equaliser, Morrison capped the win in injury time when another fine strike went in off the crossbar to earn him his treble.
Liverpool are next in U18 Premier League North action on Saturday when they travel to Stoke City (kick-off 11.30am).
LIVERPOOL U18s (4-3-3): Miscour; Pitt, Lucky, Enahoro-Marcus (Pennington 46), Gymiah; Kelly, Onanuga, Laffey; Morrison, Sonni-Lambie, Young (Upton 81). Subs: Morana, Furnell-Gill, Martin. BOOKING: Laffey.
