Liverpool continued their 100% UEFA Youth League record with a thrilling 4-3 win over Rangers on Wednesday.
Oakley Cannonier scored twice alongside Melkamu Frauendorf's effort and Ben Doak's winner in a game that also saw Lee Jonas sent off early into the second half.
The ECHO was on hand at Firhill Stadium to provide analysis of the game as Barry Lewtas' side made it four wins from four in their group.
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And we focus on the performance of three players in particular.
Ben Doak
In a game that had strikers scoring braces, defenders being sent off, a penalty and seven goals in total, it was Doak's sensational performance that was still the main talking point from a contest that virtually had it all.
Only the former Celtic youngster will know how much personal motivation he takes from a meeting with Rangers but the No.7 was once again outstanding for Lewtas' Under-19s in this hugely entertaining victory.
Having already broken through to the fringes of the first team at Celtic, it should not be wholly surprising to see Doak stand out this much at this level but that takes nothing away from his all-action performances that combine bags of skill and tenacity. It's hard to believe he's only 16.
A substitute appearance for the Under-21s in Saturday's 5-0 victory against Wolves led to many to surmise that Doak is already beyond the Under-18s level he is currently playing at domestically. Lewtas insists that is not yet the case but days like today will go a long way towards more serious consideration being given to moving Doak up through the age groups just a few months into life at Liverpool.
A brilliant bit of skill saw him bamboozle Robbie Fraser for the opening goal. The Rangers left-back will be glad to see the back of his fellow Glaswegian having been overworked last week at Kirkby, too.
Another weighted pass to Oakley Cannonier was perfect for the Reds' third but it was in the second half that Doak really proved his worth to Lewtas' young side, who have now won all four of their UEFA Youth League games.
Having seen Jonas dismissed for a professional foul at 3-1, Lewtas left Doak up top on his own and tried to get men behind the ball. All half the teenager was the outlet, constantly running into the spaces to close down defenders and keep them occupied as the Reds tried to hold on to their lead.
Having eventually been pegged back to 3-3, however, Doak saved the best until last. Wriggling free of a marker near the corner flag, with his back to goal, the winger attacked the heart of Rangers' defence, leaving a further four men in his wake before casually slotting home the winner with the outside of his foot. It was a special strike that was richly deserved.
Mobbed by what appeared to be friends and family on his return to Glasgow at full-time, the acclaim and congratulations were well deserved. Liverpool may just have someone special here.
Dominic Corness
While the likes of Doak and Cannonier have understandably hogged the headlines in the UEFA Youth League this term, Dominic Corness continued his quietly excellent campaign with a performance full of composure at Firhill.
Encouraged to build attacks from deep with his excellent range of passing, the No.6 caught the eye in the first with a number of measured balls into the forward areas with his trusty left foot.
One pass to Doak early was stunning but lacked the finish to match it from the winger before another whipped pass to the right flank again got the No.7 in behind the Rangers defence.
Corness has been at the Academy since the age of five and has become an influential figure this term for Lewtas. The midfielder was handed the captain's armband for the win over Ajax as well as Papa John's Trophy defeat at Rochdale last month.
A couple of well-struck efforts were saved by Jacob Pazikas in either half as Liverpool showcased their superiority of their hosts with 11 men. Corness was caught napping at one point, though, and was robbed possession just after the hour mark for an attack Rangers should have scored from. Otherwise, it was an encouraging showing before the sending off for Jonas forced Corness to move into left-back and turned the game on its head.
Oakley Cannonier
The UEFA Youth League is fast becoming Cannioner's competition. After plundering five goals in three games, the Leeds-born striker added another two the haul at Firhill before the first half was done.
Add those to the two he clinically dispatched as a second-half substitute in Saturday's 5-0 hammering of Wolves and you have a striker in red-hot form.
His first was typical Cannonier as he showcased his poaching instincts to finish off a move that was started with a fine piece of skill from the outstanding Doak. With goalkeeper Pazikas floored, Cannonier pounced and rolled it into the empty net.
His second displayed Cannonier's full range of assets. After being sent clear by a wonderfully weighted through pass from Doak, the forward sidestepped the last man and tried to lift it over the goalkeeper. Having been denied that, a determined Cannonier stuck to his task but was thwarted again, this time by a man on the line. The Reds' top-scorer continued pursuing the chance and knocked in at the third attempt to make it 3-1.
There was to be no second hat-trick of the group stages, however, as an injury brought his afternoon to a quick halt shortly before half-time. Liverpool will now await the latest on that but it’d be a crying shame if a forward in such great form is sidelined for any real length of time.
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