Liverpool striker scores hat-trick in 5-0 win as starlet returns after 10-month injury lay-off
Oakley Cannonier scored a hat-trick as Liverpool Under-21s thrashed Hull City 5-0 in their latest pre-season friendly on Friday.
Isaac Mabaya also made his return from long-term injury as a second half substitute for the young Reds at the Academy, as they came out on top against a Tigers side who finished the game with nine men after having two players sent off for dissent.
Mateusz Musialowski had already been denied by goalkeeper Owen Foster in the opening five minutes, before Tommy Pilling opened the scoring in the 12th minute. Running onto Luca Stephenson’s long ball over the top, the midfielder got in behind Hull defence’s before slotting home into the far corner.
Cannonier would get his first of the game midway through the first half, getting on the end of Francis Gyimah’s low cross into the box following good play down the left by the overlapping full-back.
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The striker then made it 3-0 on the stroke of half-time thanks to a stunning solo-run from Trent Kone-Doherty, minutes after Musialowski had seen a free-kick whistle over the crossbar. The winger beat three defenders on the right before playing the ball back to Cannonier, who finished confidently into the far corner.
Mabaya made his after 65 minutes, replacing Terence Miles as part of a double substitution alongside player-coach Jay Spearing. The 18-year-old’s comeback was a welcome sight, having not featured for the young Reds since last October because of a persistent ankle injury - just a couple of months after impressing for Jurgen Klopp’s first team last pre-season.
Cannonier was unfortunate
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