LFC Youth Watch – Daniel Ayala Match Report vs Tranmere

10th Mar – Liverpool 3 – 0 Tranmere (Senior Cup) – Daniel Ayala was solid at the back during the Reds Reserves 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 put in a performance. Ayala had little to do at the back as Liverpool tried to break the deadlock and Jay Spearing and Gerardo Bruna were particularly impressive in midfield, spraying passes around and making threatening runs forward. It was David Amoo however, 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. Not long after though, Amoo scored the second goal after excellent work from Bruna set up the winger on the edge of the box and he duly applied a low finish. A third goal came through a David McNamara.own goal after Tranmere struggled to clear a Francisco Duran corner. Ayala will certainly have been pleased with his performance and with both Rafa Benitez and Sammy Lee watching, he would have wanted to press his claims for a first team place.