10th Mar – Liverpool 3 – 0 Tranmere (Senior Cup) – Lauri Dalla Valle made an impressive first start for the Reserves this season, scoring in a 3-0 win over Tranmere Rovers in the Senior Cup Semi-final. The Reserves hadn’t played since the 1st of February due to four postponements and they were keen to make up for lost time. Rafa Benitez, Sammy Lee, Kenny Dalglish and Phil Thompson were all at the game at the Kirkby Academy and all the players were looking to impress. Jay Spearing and Gerardo Bruna were particularly impressive in midfield, spraying passes around and making threatening runs forward but it was David Amoo who helped set up the first goal. After a far post cross from Kacaniklic found its way to Amoo, the winger fired in a rasping shot before Dalla Valle finished from a tight angle to ensure the Reds went in 1-0 up at the interval. Bruna came on at halt-time for Nikola Saric but a crucial moment came three minutes into the second half as Aaron Cresswell was sent off for the visitors after a tough challenge on Steven Irwin. Amoo scored the second goal of the tie after excellent work from Bruna led to the winger being found on the edge of the box and he duly applied a low finish. More great work from Bruna saw him provide a great through ball for Kacaniklic and he crossed to Dalla Valle who could only fire wide from close range. The Finn was also involved with the third goal too after returning Francisco Duran provided a threatening far post corner which Spearing did well to head back into play before the ball fell to Dalla Valle whose shot went in off David McNamara. Reserve coach John McMahon praised Dalla Valle after the match
“I am really pleased for Lauri and he took his goal really well. It was always the plan to introduce him slowly into the reserve team set-up this season and I was pleased with his contribution. Lauri is a natural finisher and he has got that uncanny knack of being in the right place at the right time.”
Dalla Valle has really impressed since returning from injury in January and he will hope to establish himself in the Reserve team from now until the end of the season.
