ACADEMY: Liverpool go into Manchester United clash on a high

The home side hit back with Ellison being denied by the Baggies keeper Ryan Allsop, but from the resulting corner captain Kennedy stabbed home after six minutes.

West Brom hit back and Hansen saved twice and despite going close from Michael Scott and Adam Pepper's free-kick it wasn't until the second half that Liverpool doubled their lead.

On the hour mark a quick move on the break ended with striker Ellison finishing off with a inch-perfect strike.

Liverpool completed the win when substitute Dalla Valle came off the bench to score a third on 71 minutes. The Finnish striker went on an excellent run down the right before cutting in and cracking home an unstoppable effort.

Coach McAuley said: "It gave us a chance to play a few of the lads who didn't play at Leeds. And they took their chance well.

"It was a good win, and we scored three good goals. But I was a little disappointed at times with the quality of the game in regards to the passing and the movement."

Liverpool's will look to end the year on a high when they take on Manchester United at the Kirkby Academy this Saturday (kick-off 11am) before the four-week Christmas break.

McAuley said: "We are second in between Manchester City and United. United can overtake if they beat us, so we will be looking for a good result to end the year in second. The fact we are also still in the Youth Cup gives us fresh impetus to come back after the break to go from there."

Jack Metcalf picked up a knock and went off at half-time against West Brom, but is expected to be fit to face United.

LIVERPOOL UNDER-18s: Hansen; Metcalf (Dalla Valle 45), Kennedy, Wisdom, O'Connor; Scott, Pepper, Roberts, Cooper (Ince 57); Kacaniklic (Pourie 65), Ellison. Subs: Duyan, Buchtmann.