Report by SJG

FRIENDLY

LIVERPOOL U21 vs WIGAN ATHLETIC

 22^nd July 2025

MULLIN ON THE MARK AS HE OPENS HIS TICS ACCOUNT.

There was a competitive and even opening period between the two teams at the Kirkby Academy.

Kieran Morrison was a particular bright spark for Rob Page's hosts, and inside 10 minutes he produced a great run before seeing his resulting shot blocked by the Latics defence.

Kaide Gordon then did similar from the halfway line for the Reds, though likewise had an effort halted by James Carragher in the Latics defence.

Ahead of the half-time break, the visitors countered down the left flank and delivered, but Michael Laffey was on hand to deny their advances superbly.

Liverpool responded as a ball over the top of the back four released Trent Kone-Doherty through and around the goalkeeper. However, his shot from a tight angle was denied.

Half Time; Liverpool U21 0-0 Wigan Athletic.

The deadlock was eventually broken around the hour mark.

It was Wigan who got on the scoresheet first, netting via striker Paul Mullin as he converted a cross from the left wing.

Liverpool replied almost immediately to restore parity after good play from Carter Pinnington fed in Keyrol Figueroa (son of ex- Tics hero Maynor Figueroa) who checked inside and finished into the bottom corner.

There was little between the two sides thereafter, with Liverpool goalkeeper Bailey Hall making a strong save in the closing minutes to ensure the contest ended level. The Liverpool side also featured the son of another Wigan player, Jason Koumas.

Full Time; Liverpool U21 1-1 Wigan Athletic.

Scorers; Mullin (61); Figueroa (64);

Attendance; Behind Closed Doors

Wigan Athletic (3-5-2) --- Team included ----Carragher, Mullin.

Liverpool U21 (4-4-2) --- Hall; Mabaya, Lucky, Nallo, Miles; Pilling, Gordon, Laffey, Koumas; Morrison, Kone-Doherty; Subs--- Ramsay (for Mabaya), Williams (for Lucky), Pinnington (for Nallo), Pitt (for Miles), Onanuga (for Pilling), Cannonier (for Gordon), Davidson (for Laffey), Figueroa (for Koumas), Balagizi (for Morrison), Airoboma (for Kone-Doherty);

Referee; Not Known.