Kieran Morrison and James Balagizi caught the eye as Liverpool under-21s earned a Premier League 2 victory at Sunderland on Monday night

Kieran Morrison of Liverpool in action for the under-21 side(Image: Nick Taylor/Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)

Kieran Morrison continued his progress as Liverpool under-21s responded to a difficult week by earning a victory at Sunderland.

Morrison, a 17-year-old winger who has stepped up to the higher age group this season, scored one goal and had a hand in another as Barry Lewtas's side won 3-2 at Eppleton Colliery Welfare Ground on Monday evening.

James Balagizi, who had played for just 19 minutes since November, also found the target on his first appearance for the U21s since May 2023 after loan spells last season at Wigan Athletic and Kilmarnock were hampered by injury.

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Liverpool went into the game having suffered three successive defeats with heavy losses against PSV Eindhoven in the Premier League International Cup and at Crewe Alexandra in the EFL Trophy sandwiching a home Premier League 2 loss to Leicester City.

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And the young Reds made the perfect start when a strong run from Morrison off the right in the eighth minute ended with a shot that was palmed out by Sunderland goalkeeper Kelechi Chibueze to Balagizi, who controlled the rebound then struck into the bottom corner.

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The hosts took only five minutes to level when a mistake by Lee Jonas was pounced upon by Trey Ogunsuyi to race through and score.

After Ranel Young, playing as a centre forward, missed a chance to put Liverpool ahead, they were back in front on 28 minutes when Balagizi turned provider by bringing the ball out of his own half and then finding Morrison to finish from the edge of the area.

Sunderland pressed hard in the second half with Liverpool indebted to a Kornel Misciur save and Amara Nallo block before, on 81 minutes, Young made the game safe with a shot from a tight angle after being fed by Dominic Corness.

Tommy Watson pulled one back for the home side during 12 minutes of additional time but the Reds held on.

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Elsewhere on Saturday, Liverpool U18s delivered an improved performance but were eventually beaten 2-0 by Manchester United at the Carrington Training Complex in their U18 Premier League North clash.

Liverpool U21s are now not in action again until Sunday, September 22 when they entertain Derby County in Premier League 2 (kick-off 2pm).

The U18s, meanwhile, are at home to Blackburn Rovers in the U18 Premier League North on Saturday, September 14 (kick-off 11am).

LIVERPOOL U18s (v Manchester United): Hall; Esdaille, Pitt, Pinnington, Williams; Lonmeni, O’Connor; Forrester (Evers 90), Cisse (Onanuga 69), Bradshaw; Sonni-Lambie.

BOOKING: Sonni-Lambie.

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LIVERPOOL U21s (v Sunderland): Misciur; Jonas (K Kelly 90+5), Lucky (Laffey 72), Nallo, Miles; Spearing (Pilling 46), Corness, Norris; Morrison, Young (Kone-Doherty 82), Balagizi.
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