Liverpool U18s lose to Blackburn U18s in first game of 2023

Liverpool under-18s were defeated 3-2 by Blackburn in their first game of 2023 at the AXA Training Centre on Saturday, despite goals from Terence Miles and Iwan Roberts.
Liverpool U18s won 2-1. AXA Training Centre, Blackburn U18s U18 Premier League, January 7, 2022

Miles 9', Roberts 67', Nsangou 15' (p), Thirkill 64', Shaw 73'

With the under-21s playing on Sunday and the absence of Caleb Scanlon, Lewis Koumas, and Trent Kone-Doherty, Marc Bridge-Wilkinson named another very young team for the U18s' first game in over a month.
Liverpool got off to a good start, with Elijah Gift causing havoc on the right wing and Cody Pennington seeing his early effort saved.
Captain Miles put the Reds ahead in the ninth minute, rising unopposed at the back post to head in Tommy Pilling's corner.
Both Roberts and Pennington had chances to double Liverpool's lead immediately, but Blackburn were awarded a penalty five minutes later after a reckless tackle by Francis Gyimah.
Goalkeeper Luke Hewitson made the correct decision but was unable to save Junior Nsangu's penalty kick.
Pilling was extremely unlucky not to put Liverpool back ahead with the final kick of the first half. His excellent free-kick hit the underside of the bar, struck the goalkeeper, and somehow stayed out.
Hewitson was forced into a number of saves early in the second half, as the young Reds' defense was far from convincing, and substitute Ben Thirkill gave the away side the lead less than 20 minutes later.
That was the first of three goals in nine minutes, with Liverpool striker Roberts, who had only recently returned from injury, heading home Pilling's inviting cross to tie the game again, before Ari Shaw put Blackburn back in front from close range.
Late on, Gift's header was tipped over, and substitutes Kareem Ahmed and Fola Onanuga both had half chances, but it was too late for Liverpool.
The Reds are now seventh in the U18 Premier League table, with an FA Youth Cup match against Port Vale and a mini derby against Everton coming up next week.
Liverpool U18s: Hewitson; Gyimah, Giblin, Miles, Lucky (Pitt 45′); Pilling, Pennington (Ahmed 82′), Morrison (Onanuga 72′); Young (Davidson 72′), Gift, Roberts (Ahmed 82′); Young (Davidson 72′), Gift, Roberts (Ahmed 82′), Gift, Roberts (Ahmed

Substitutes not used: Trueman

Next game: FA Youth Cup - Port Vale (A) - Wednesday, January 11, 7pm