Liverpool U21s 0 Sunderland U21s 2: Greenwood inspires vital victory for young Black Cats

Mikael Mandron and Carl Lawson netted in the second half at Chester’s Lookers Vauxhall Stadium to complete a league double over the Reds, who featured lively Belgian international striker Divick Origi in their starting line-up.

Victory took the young Black Cats a point clear of title rivals Manchester United, who have a game in hand – seven matches to play, to Sunderland’s six.

Liverpool had the first attempts at goal, with Joao Carlos Teixeira and Ryan Kent both just off target with free-kicks, but Sunderland had the better of a tight first half.

George Honeyman had the visitors’ first real effort, playing a one-two just outside the box and sidefooting his well-struck shot straight at Danny Ward, back at Anfield from a successful loan at Aberdeen.

Honeyman caused problems for home defender Joe Maguire as he got on the end of a ball forward and created a shooting oppportunity, only to mishit his effort wide.

Teixeira cut in from the left for Liverpool, but his deflected shot was well saved by keeper James Talbot, turning the ball around the post.

Man of the match Rees Greenwood took command for the visitors on the restart, and set up the goal to break the deadlock eight minutes in.

Fed by Liam Agnew, Greenwood made a fine run down the left and his delivery into the box was nodded into the far corner of the net by Mandron, though Liverpool keeper Ward was adamant, in an appeal to the referee, that the striker had handled the ball.

Home defender Lloyd Jones denied Greenwood a second goal, blocking a fierce, low, left-foot strike as Sunderland stayed in the ascendancy.

Sunderland made all but sure of victory with a well-made second goal midway through the second period.

Greenwood was instrumental again, faking a shot from the left and playing the ball square to Lawson, who took a touch and slammed a low strike out of the reach of Ward.

Liverpool: Ward, Randall, Smith (Hart), Jones (Brewitt), Maguire, Chirivella, Ojo, Brannagan, Origi (Sinclair), Teixeira, Kent. Subs: Firth, O’Hanlon

Sunderland: Talbot, J Robson, Beadling, Brady, T Robson, Agnew, Smith (E Robson, 82), Greenwood (McEvoy 90), Honeyman, Lawson (Blinco 88), Mandron. Subs not used: Stryjek, Hume

Title rivals Manchester United lost 1-0 at Manchester City on Saturday.