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Liverpool U18s twice came from behind to record a convincing 5-2 victory on a cold and blustery day at Kirkby.

Steven Gerrard's team scored five and could have had many, many more as they simply had too much pace, movement and technical ability for a rather outgunned West Bromwich Albion side.

The young Reds were their own worst enemies early on though in a start Gerrard thought was far too "casual" and it was the visitors who took the lead.

Curtis Jones had a pass intercepted in his own half in the first five minutes and the dangerous Rayhaan Tulloch beat his man before squaring for Sam Wilding to score easily.

It was Liverpool who were dominating the game though and they were level on 13 minutes.

Jones made up for his earlier error, exchanging passes on the edge of the box, before rifling home a dazzling low drive from about 20 yards out.

Full back Jordan Hunter and Luis Longstaff were threatening for Liverpool on the right and Reds striker Glen McAuley somehow didn't connect with a good Hunter cross which had goal written all over it.

Liverpool self-destructed again though and handed West Brom the lead again on 22 minutes.

(Image: Nick Taylor/Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)

Keeper Vitezslav Jaros, a summer arrival from Slavia Prague, made a poor clearance and as West Brom threatened, Rhys Williams mistimed his challlange on Tulloch and the referee pointed to the spot.

Jaros got close but couldn't stop Muio Hau's spot kick.

The Reds again hit back quickly and they too benefited from a penalty award.

Longstaff twisted and turned on the right before his cross was handled by George Harmon.

(Image: Nick Taylor/Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)

Impressive captain Adam Lewis - a constant threat from left full back - tucked away with zero fuss. 2-2 on 28 minutes.

It was all Liverpool now and Paul Glatzel had a couple of chances to put them ahead, heading Lewis's cross and then meeting Jordan Hunter's centre but heading wide.

A rare West Brom counter was stopped by a brilliant Anthony Glennon tackle while at the other end Rhys Williams volleyed a Lewis free-kick over and Jones drifted into the box before hitting the post from a narrow angle.

(Image: Nick Taylor/Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)

The second period was virtual one-way traffic as Gerrard switched to a back three to exploit space down the sides.

Good pressing from Lewis finally saw Liverpool take the lead three minutes into the second half.

He won the ball high and sent McAuley away. The Irishman fed Curtis Jones who unselfishly squared for Glatzel - Liverpool-born but with a German passport - to get the goal he deserved.

Glatzel almost had another 10 minutes later as Rhys Williams won a header at a corner but his own header was then cleared off the line with McAuley's follow-up blocked.

Liam Millar arrived just after the hour mark and the young Canadian proved an inspired substitution, scoring twice within minutes.

His first was thanks to Elijah Dixon-Bonner, who anchored midfield really well, picking up a ball and quickly feeding him to fire low past Adam Przybek.

The final goal was the best of the lot. Rafa Camacho's excellent pass from the right found Jones who played Lewis in down the left. His perfect centre found Millar in front to side foot home. Lovely.

Millar had a couple of chances to bring up his hat-trick in the last 20 minutes while Kieron Holsgrove hit the bar for the well-beaten visitors but this game was well settled by then.

Still plenty to work on for this team but a very enjoyable victory.

LIVERPOOL: Vitezslav Jaros, Jordan Hunter, Adam Lewis, Rhys Williams, Anthony Glennon, Elijah Dixon-Bonner, Luis Longstaff, Paul Glatzel (Abdi Sharif 67), Glen McAuley (Liam Millar 61), Curtis Jones (Tom Clayton 73), Rafa Camacho Subs: Ben Williams, Patrik Raitanen