Liverpool U19’s eased to a 4-0 victory over Ajax in the UEFA Youth League on Tuesday afternoon at home as Oakley Cannonier continued his goalscoring form with a hat-trick – here are our player ratings from the comprehensive win:
Liverpool U19’s player ratings against Ajax:
Harvey Davies – 9
One of the elder statesman of the young Reds side, Davies pulled off a wonderful save to tip a curling effort from David Olokoh’s effort on to the bar in the first half. Comfortable in possession and a clean sheet. Superb display.
Isaac Mabaya – 9
A powerhouse at right-back. Mabaya was up and down the flank, overlapping Ben Doak on numerous occasions. Looks a real promising talent and the end product was there too, crossing to find Cannonier for Liverpool’s opener.
Lee Jonas – 7
Comfortable, but without being excellent. The 18-year-old rarely put a foot wrong at the back, but did little to really impress either. A solid display from the youngster, one highlight – a step out from defence and a 50-yard ball.
Luke Chambers – 6
Started to struggle with the pace of the game during the end of the first half, and allowed Nassef Chourak to have a free header on 42 minutes, when he should have scored. Clean sheet, nevertheless.
James Norris – 6
Got forward well on the left and showed some nice touches, but the Reds were much more dangerous on the right. Clearly a talent though, having already earned England Under-19 caps and played 37 times for the Under-21 side.
Bobby Clark – 7
Got the assist for Cannonier’s second goal of the game. But overall, Clark kept things ticking in midfield for Liverpool. Some lovely positions picked up and some decent passing for the Reds. Involved in the fourth as well.
Dom Corness – 7
Liverpool’s captain struggled in possession in the first half. A couple of misplaced passes in holding midfield, as he offered the pivot and gave Bobby Clark the freedom to roam. But much-improved in second 45, assist for third.
Ben Doak – 8 (replaced by Koumas, 74)
Utter energy on the right. Liverpool’s best chances came from the right and ex-Celtic man Doak was central to that. One criticism would be his aggression, diving into a couple of tackles. His pace and work rate was there for all to see.
Melkamu Frauendorf – 7
Involved largely throughout and while he showed some nice touches and contributed to attacking play, he would have liked to have done more. Missed a sitter on 82 minutes, after closing down keeper – but got an assist for Koumas.
Trent Kone-Doherty – 6 (replaced by McConnell, 63)
Still only 16, Kone-Doherty was a bit of a bystander on the left flank with much of the play coming down the right. Neat in possession and a couple of nice touches, but he would have liked to have had more of an impact on the game.
Oakley Cannonier – 10 (replaced by Young, 79)
Having scored the winner against Napoli last week, Cannonier was on hand to score a hat-trick. Looked a danger all afternoon and his finish throughout was excellent. A huge talent and one to keep an eye on. Sensational.
Liverpool U19’s player ratings against Ajax – Subs:
Louie Koumas – 6 (replaced Doak, 75)
Son of Jason Koumas, the youngster came off the bench to tap home a fourth – putting the icing on what was already a brilliant display. If Cannonier is the team’s first-choice striker, he is more than adept at being a good back-up.
James McConnell – 6 (replaced Kone-Doherty, 63)
Ranel Young – 5 (replaced Cannonier, 79)
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