Trey Nyoni remained on Merseyside to captain the under-21s against Burnley while the first-team prepare for Newcastle, but the afternoon ended in a frustrating 3-2 defeat.
Liverpool U21s 2-3 Burnley U21s
Premier League 2, AXA Training Centre
August 25, 2025
Goals: McEvilly OG 16′, Morrison 64′; Mcmahon-Brown 44′, 68′, Benson 53′
Rob Page tasted defeat in his first outing as the new U21s manager last week and named a strong XI in his bid to bounce back for his first match at the academy.
Nyoni captained the side having been left out of the first-team squad against Newcastle in favour of playing 90 minutes, with Jayden Danns leading the attack and summer signing Armin Pecsi in goal.
Calvin Ramsay, still yet to find a new home this summer, temporary or permanent, earned another start at right-back and it was his misplaced pass that set in motion the opening goal for the Reds.
Burnley defender Jack McEvilly raced to pounce on the loose ball, but his overzealous backpass was lofted over his goalkeeper and into an empty net for one of the easiest goals Liverpool will score this season.
LEIPZIG, GERMANY - Wednesday, October 23, 2024: Liverpool's Kieran Morrison during the UEFA Youth League Matchday 3 game between RB Leipzig Under-19's and Liverpool FC Under-19's at Stadion am Cottaweg. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Danns and Morrison then tested the goalkeeper with well-taken strikes inside the penalty box, with Trent Kone-Doherty and Nyoni, respectively, setting the moves in motion.
Nyoni was particularly impressive throughout, showing he is a level above with his poise and ability to find time and space, despite still only being 18.
Only minutes before half time, Burnley equalised despite Liverpool’s protests of offside after Michael Mellon got behind Ramsay to set up Kian Mcmahon-Brown.
HT: Liverpool U21s 1-1 Burnley U21s
Liverpool were frustrated throughout the second half by Burnley goalkeeper Charlie Casper, who denied Morrison, Danns, Ramsay and Kone-Doherty what looked to be certain goals.
Pages’ side had 16 shots on target at the end of the 90, but could convert only twice thanks to the efforts of Burnley‘s ‘keeper.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Monday, August 4, 2025: Liverpool's Will Wright during a pre-season friendly match between Liverpool FC and Athletic Bilbao at Anfield. Liverpool won 3-2. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
The visitors, however, made the most of their chances and took the lead eight minutes after the break via a curled shot around an unsighted Pecsi, after Danns lost possession in midfield.
Two goals in four minutes followed, first via a solo run from Morrison set in motion by a delightful cross-field pass from Terence Miles to make it 2-2, but the Reds’ joy was short-lived.
Despite a strong initial save from Pecsi, who was quick off his line for the counter-attack, he was helpless as the rebound fell to Mcmahon-Brown to make it 3-2 to Burnley.
Summer signing Will Wright replaced Jayden Danns and had sighters on goal, but Page’s side were ultimately left frustrated and start their season with two successive league defeats.
Liverpool U21s: Pecsi; Ramsay, Pinnington, Lucky (Airoboma 90+4′), Miles; Nyoni, Pilling, Laffey (Figueroa 80′); Morrison, Kone-Doherty, Danns (Wright 73′)
Subs not used: Misciur, Davidson
Next match: Stoke (A) – Premier League 2 – Friday, August 29, 7pm (BST)