3/1 To Win
Three second half goals saw Derby County Under-23s secure an impressive 2-3 victory against Liverpool at their Academy Stadium this afternoon.
Calum Macdonald, Jacob Butterfield and a late strike from Louie Sibley ensured the Rams returned home with all three points, despite Liverpool leading at the break.
It wasn’t the best start to the game for Darren Wassall’s side as Joe Bateman was forced off with a shoulder injury in the opening minutes.
Liverpool did take the lead on 17 minutes as Adam Lewis’ cross found the onrushing Matty Virtue and he fired low past Josh Barnes to give Liverpool the lead.
Derby reacted well and created chances before the break. George Thorne found Cameron Cresswell in the box but the striker’s header fell just wide of the goal, whilst minutes later the striker saw a shot blocked from inside the penalty area.
It was almost two for the Reds minutes after half time as captain Virtue shot from eight yards but Macdonald somehow got back on the line to clear.
The Rams would draw level eight minutes into the second half as a corner into the box was met by the head of Calum Macdonald and he found the corner leaving the Liverpool goalkeeper rooted to the spot.
Momentum was with the Rams and with 20 minutes of the game remaining, Jacob Butterfield put Wassall’s men ahead.
The midfielder’s chance did look to be lost, however, as he was intercepted, but the ricochet fell fortuitously back into his path and he lifted the ball over the onrushing goalkeeper to put the Rams ahead.
Liverpool were almost level four minutes later as full back Lewis whipped a free kick over the wall from 25 yards, but was denied by the post.
The home side pushed and managed to grab the equaliser on 77 minutes through Liam Millar’s strike. He picked up the ball on the edge of the box and whipped the ball into the top corner, leaving Barnes with no chance.
Derby rallied, and with time running out, managed to get the all important goal to seal the three points. Macdonald received the ball on the left and found Sibley in the box who fired past the goalkeeper to ensure the Rams came away from Liverpool with all three points.
Next Up…
After today’s stunning victory, the Rams will be back at Pride Park Stadium on Sunday 28th October as they host Tottenham Hotspur in Premier League 2 – Division 1. Kick off is at 2pm.
Liverpool: Kelleher, Williams, Lewis, Johnston, Garcia, Chirivella, Camacho, Virtue, Millar, Christie-Davies, Woodburn (McAuley 64’).
Unused Substitutes: McKenzie-Lyle, Gallacher, Tagseth.
Derby County: Barnes, Bateman (Karic 2’), Macdonald, Thorne, Pearce, Buchanan, Mitchell-Lawson (McAllister 80’), Butterfield, Cresswell (Shonibare 83’), Bird, Sibley.
Unused Substitutes: Yates, Eyoma.
