Match report: Liverpool U23s 5-0 Southampton

Joe Hardy’s first goals for Liverpool helped the U23s to a resounding 5-0 win over Southampton at the Academy.

Neil Critchley was once again able to call on the likes of Curtis Jones, Harvey Elliott and Neco Williams following their FA Cup exploits at first-team level, and the quality within the young Reds’ ranks was evident throughout Monday’s Premier League 2 contest.

Elliott confidently opened the scoring with just three minutes gone, and new signing Hardy then took centre stage by netting a well-taken brace before the break.

Further chances were fashioned at regular intervals during a dominant performance, although Critchley had to wait until the 87th minute for the fourth goal to come via…