New Liverpool signing makes successful debut as young playmaker continues fine form

Liverpool U21s narrowly beat Brighton in Premier League 2, with new signing Noah Adekoya making his debut and attacking midfielder Kieran Morrison netting an early penalty

Josh Sonni-Lambie has been in good form for Liverpool U18s lately.(Image: Nick Taylor/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)

New Liverpool signing Noah Adekoya, who came in from Burnley this month to join up with the club's U21s team, made his debut for Rob Page's side today, with Kieran Morrison sending the Reds on their way to victory.

Adekoya, a tall, 19-year-old center-back whose strengths include his passing and ability to dribble out from the back, played the full 90 minutes alongside Carter Pinnington, while Calum Scanlon, who has transfer interest from Cardiff City, was replaced by Lucas Pitt midway through the second half.

Morrison, who has been playing very well this season and was on the bench for the first team midweek, calmly converted an early penalty when Liverpool full-back Josh Davidson was fouled.

Around 20 minutes later, Yussif Owusu was sent off, meaning Brighton had to play more than two-thirds of the game with 10 men.

Despite having a man advantage, however, Liverpool couldn't extend its lead. Summer signing Will Wright replaced the in-form Keyrol Figueroa, but the Reds were unable to make their life easier.

In the end, though, Adekoya was able to help his team keep a clean sheet, which secured the three points. Liverpool U21s are sixth in the Premier League 2 standings, with a five-point gap to table-topping Chelsea.

Nineteen-year-old Liverpool attacking midfielder Kieran Morrison.(Image: Annabel Lee-Ellis/Getty Images)

Fellow January arrival Mor Talla Ndiaye is yet to make his debut because of an issue that was picked up during his medical.

"It's not major, but just something that we need to manage," U21s boss Page said this week.

"Within the next couple of weeks, we’ll be seeing him on the training ground, which will be exciting. He’s definitely an exciting young prospect and is really excited.

"Part of the reason I took this job was for players like that, to help develop, to help nurture, to help sort of develop them into the complete player at the end of it, so I’m looking forward to that project."

Elsewhere, earlier today, Liverpool U18s won 4-2 against Derby County in Kirkby. Fifteen-year-old forward Josh Abe, who was with the first team in training on Thursday, scored twice.

Also in the starting XI were Alvin Ayman, an impressive and versatile player who can play at full-back and in midfield, and Prince Cisse, the son of the former Liverpool striker, Djibril.

Fourteen-year-old Luca Eden, who became Liverpool's youngest scorer at U18 level a few days ago, was involved once again.

Ollie O'Connor and Josh Sonni-Lambie also found the back of the net. Remi Harvey and Kieran Clarke got on the scoresheet for the visitors, with the young Reds now fourth in the U18 Premier League standings.