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Liverpool U21s boss Rob Page was delighted with his side's convincing win over Everton in the mini-derby on Sunday, with the young Reds coming out 4-1 victors in Kirkby.
Everton full-back George Finney was shown a straight red card for a tackle on Lucas Pitt in the first half, but by that point, Liverpool already looked to be on top. Young striker Keyrol Figueroa scored a hat-trick while Kaide Gordon, given a free role as a number 10, was excellent and central to almost every attack.
"Really pleased with the performance," Page told reporters at the final whistle. "It changes when they go down to 10 men, of course. Sometimes it’s harder to play against 10 men but we didn’t find that today.
"We created enough chances to score another four goals with the missed penalty as well. Overall, we’re really pleased for Figgy.
"He gave a top performance in the UEFA Youth League midweek as well. To back it up with a performance like that and to get his goals, it is credit to him."
Gordon, who spent time on loan at Norwich City and Portsmouth in the Championship last season, was superb — a cut above the rest, perhaps Figueroa aside.
"We played him slightly differently today," Page said. "We gave him that free role to find the space between the midfield and the two center-backs.
"I think he relished it and he’ll be really disappointed that he’s not scored a few goals. But Kaide was full of energy and always looked a threat.
"I thought Trent (Kane-Doherty), his deliveries into the box, especially for Figgy’s header as well, they always looked vulnerable with balls into the box, and that was the message at half-time — continue to do it. Overall, we’re really pleased."
After two loans didn't really get the best out of Gordon last season, the next step in his career will be important. Clearly, he is too good for this level, and he recently turned 21.
"Kaide was obviously looking to go out on loan for his next step in his career," Page said. "All he can do is maintain his level of performance like that and the rest will take care of itself, whether it is here or whether it is elsewhere.
"He has just got to make sure that he brings that level to every game and come January, if he is continuing to play like that, there will be people at the door to take him, no doubt.
"We’re continuing to work every day with him and there is still room for improvement, but when he gives performances like that, he has got to make people stand up and take note."
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This week saw Kieran Morrison make the first team bench at Brentford after the Northern Irishman was superb in the UEFA Youth League win over Eintracht Frankfurt. He could be involved in the League Cup tie with Crystal Palace on Wednesday too.
"It’s not a closed door," Page says. "There is a pathway and they see that. They see that in Rio Ngumoha: it doesn’t matter what age you are. If you are good enough then you will play and you will be involved.
"That’s certainly encouraging for those players and that might be motivation for why Kaide has turned up and played like that, why Trent is playing so well.
"Kieran Morrison was awesome for us on Wednesday (in the UEFA Youth League) and the front four, with Figgy, will pose a threat for many at this level."
Page was also asked if there was any fresh news on Stefan Bajcetic. The Spanish midfielder has been absent for some time now with a persistent injury issue.
"No, not yet," he said. "We should know more in the next couple of weeks."
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