Liverpool 41-goal striker given opportunity as…

Liverpool 41-goal striker given opportunity as Manchester United squad hint dropped

Cannonier makes next step

This was another landmark day in the burgeoning career of Oakley Cannonier.

Having made brief outings from the bench in the opening two games of the season, the 18-year-old forward was given his first Premier League 2 start with Layton Stewart suspended following his red card at Brighton and Hove Albion last weekend.

The eagerness of Cannonier - who netted 33 goals in competitive matches for the under-18s last season, and eight in other matches - to make an early impression was evident, the striker not quite managing to gain a proper connection with a header and then hurriedly missing his kick from a low cross.

There were some good signs, particularly in the first half when setting up Max Woltman during an attack after some good hold-up play, but his diminutive stature was glaringly apparent when dwarfed by giant Blackburn Rovers centre-backs Jalil Saadi and George Pratt.

That size differential is something to which Cannonier must adjust, along with the physical demands. A quieter second-half display ended with a shot over the bar from range before being replaced with what appeared to be cramp. The youngster now has a better idea of what to expect at this higher level.

Cain is able - but what next?

The exception in an otherwise young Liverpool starting line-up against Blackburn was Jake Cain. The only player out of his teens, Cain returned to the Reds in the summer having spent a season on loan at League Two side Newport County, for whom he made 28 appearances.

While the attacking midfielder recently admitted he would like another temporary spell away having been disappointed at being overlooked for first-team involvement during pre-season, for now he continues to turn out in Premier League 2 with his attitude having been praised by U21s boss Barry Lewtas.

Cain, skippering the team, was quietly effective in his third successive start, and in general demonstrated the experience accrued during his spell playing regular senior football. And he almost contributed a goal, twice denied by Blackburn goalkeeper Aidan Dowling from 25-yard free-kicks.

With his old Academy midfielder partner Leighton Clarkson already making his mark on loan at Aberdeen in the Scottish Premiership - he scored the only goal in Saturday's 1-0 win at St Johnstone with a blistering free-kick of his own - Cain has further incentive to test himself elsewhere.

And with interest from a number of clubs, it would be a surprise to see him still turning out for Liverpool after deadline day.

Mabaya learning as Chambers shines

There were differing fortunes for four Academy players who were invited on the pre-season tour to Thailand and Singapore.

Midfielders Stefan Bajcetic and Bobby Clark, who were on the bench for the first team against Crystal Palace on Monday, featured for the first 45 minutes only against Blackburn, suggesting they will again be involved on Monday at Manchester United by Jurgen Klopp, who joined assistant manager Pep Lijnders, elite development coach Vitor Matos and goalkeeping coach John Achterberg in watching part of the game from the sidelines.

Left-back Luke Chambers began the game strongly and was a constant first-half threat with his deliveries into the box, while managing to contain pesky winger Ethan Walker.

Isaac Mabaya, though, found matters a little more difficult on the other side of the defence, with his inexperience at times showing having, along with so many in the team, only made the step up to U21 level this summer, and was bailed out by goalkeeper Harvey Davies after one mistake allowed Blackburn forward Sam Burns to race clean through.

But his perseverance was rewarded when winning the ball in an advanced position to initiate the attack for Max Woltman's winning goal.

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