U21s secure dramatic win over Middlesbrough – Ojo the hero as Brannagan sees red

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Sheyi Ojo was the hero as his injury-time winner secured a 2-1 victory over Middlesborough for the U21s on Thursday night (via official site).

Cameron Brannagan was sent off in the 34th minute, with Arnel Jakupovic smashing the resulting freekick into the top corner. In truth we could have already been one goal down if it wasn’t for Adam Bogdan – he saved a 28th minute Jordan Jones spot-kick prior to the opener.

Ojo scored his first goal of the night in the 53rd minute, cutting inside from the left before curling a lovely effort past the outstretched hand of Joe Fryer.

It looked like the game was heading for a draw, but in the 93rd minute Ojo was brought down in the area and the ref gave a penalty. Ojo himself stepped up to cooly slot home.

“I am absolutely delighted for the boys because we deserved the victory,” said boss Michael Beale.

“I thought the sending off of Cameron was really harsh but credit to the players because we really stepped it up in the second half and showed fantastic character.

“Sheyi scored a great goal to get us level and then put away the penalty.”

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The score wasn’t the only good news, as Jon Flanagan continued his recovery by playing a full 90 minutes at full back.

Tiago Ilori and Jose Enrique also played the full game.

Liverpool U21s: Bogdan, Flanagan, Enrique, Ilori, Maguire, Brannagan, McLaughlin, O’Hanlon (Virtue, sub M Gomes), Sinclair (Lennon), Kent, Ojo.

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