Jayden Danns and Will Wright were both on the scoresheet as a Liverpool U21s side took a 3-2 victory away from their friendly trip to Red Bull club FC Liefering.
Rob Page’s young Reds made the journey to Austria this week, with a two-week break between their own competitive games seeing Liverpool organise a friendly.
It served as another opportunity for a number of the club’s high-potential youngsters to further establish themselves at the start of Andoni Iraola‘s reign.
Chief among those will be strikers Danns and Wright, who both stayed at Anfield beyond the transfer deadline before finding the back of the net against Liefering.
Winger Joe Bradshaw also scored in a 3-2 win, having produced an outstanding assist for Wright only four days previous in a 2-1 victory over Leeds.
Will Wright maintains 100% scoring record
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Friday, August 21, 2026: Liverpool's Will Wright celebrates after scoring the first goal during the Premier League 2 match between Everton FC Under-21's and Liverpool FC Under-21's, the Mini-Derby, at Goodison Park. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Friday, August 21, 2026: Liverpool's Will Wright celebrates after scoring the first goal during the Premier League 2 match between Everton FC Under-21's and Liverpool FC Under-21's, the Mini-Derby, at Goodison Park. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Though this will not count towards his official tally, Wright maintained his record of scoring in every game since the start of the season for the U21s.
The 18-year-old netted the opener in the 1-1 draw at Everton which kicked off the campaign, before a brace in the win at home to Leeds on Sunday.
Meanwhile, Danns continued his effort towards full fitness after a setback in pre-season, making his third consecutive appearance as his workload is gradually increased.
Danns can be considered part of the wider first-team squad along with the likes of Lewis Koumas, James McConnell and Luke Chambers.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Friday, August 21, 2026: Liverpool's substitute Jayden Danns during the Premier League 2 match between Everton FC Under-21's and Liverpool FC Under-21's, the Mini-Derby, at Goodison Park. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Friday, August 21, 2026: Liverpool's substitute Jayden Danns during the Premier League 2 match between Everton FC Under-21's and Liverpool FC Under-21's, the Mini-Derby, at Goodison Park. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
He was denied a chance to train under Iraola in pre-season after an issue with his hamstring but will hope to catch the new head coach’s eye in the coming weeks and months.
There could be a vacancy up front in the coming weeks if Alexander Isak needs to be rotated, with Liverpool playing five games in 17 days.
It remains to be seen how Iraola will approach the domestic cups, but with Tottenham their opponents in the third round of the Carabao Cup he could stick with a stronger side.
CHICAGO, USA - Friday, July 31, 2026: Liverpool's head coach Andoni Iraola during an open training session at the Endeavor Health Performance Center ahead of their final pre-season friendly match between Liverpool FC and Leeds United at Soldier Field in Chicago. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
CHICAGO, USA - Friday, July 31, 2026: Liverpool's head coach Andoni Iraola during an open training session at the Endeavor Health Performance Center ahead of their final pre-season friendly match between Liverpool FC and Leeds United at Soldier Field in Chicago. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Nevertheless, he has already shown he is willing to pull from the academy whenever needed and Danns and Wright will be in line for an opportunity up front.
For some involved, the trip to Liefering offered a preview of things to come as Liverpool prepare their U19s for another UEFA Youth League campaign.
The young Reds will play Atletico Madrid (home, Sep 9), LASK (away, Oct 14), Villarreal (home, Oct 20), Fenerbahce (away, Nov 4), Club Brugge (Nov 25) and Porto (home, Dec 9) in their six league phase games.
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Football – FA Premier League – Newcastle United FC v Liverpool FC
NEWCASTLE-UPON-TYNE, ENGLAND - Saturday, August 22, 2026: Liverpool's goalkeeper Alisson Becker and captain Virgil van Dijk line-up before the FA Premier League match between Newcastle United FC and Liverpool FC at St James' Park. The game ended in a 2-2 draw. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)