Liverpool may have enjoyed an entertaining victory over Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday but there was an even more thrilling encounter a few hours earlier involving a Reds team

The under-21 side fought back from 2-0 down at half-time to beat Crystal Palace 3-2 in their opening Premier League 2 play-off at the Academy in Kirkby.

Kaide Gordon scored twice and also set up a goal for Trey Nyoni as Barry Lewtas's side ensured their season continued for at least another week by progressing to the last eight of the new-look end-of-season competition.

READ MORE: Darwin Nunez deleted images won't change Liverpool problem that isn't his fault

68 extraordinary pictures that show just what Jurgen Klopp means to our city	Baggies to Barcelona: 10 standout moments of Klopp’s Liverpool reign	Revealed: How much Liverpool have to pay Feyenoord for Arne Slot

READ MORE: Virgil van Dijk contract hint and Liverpool dressing room response to Michael Edwards return

Gordon's alive

So long has it been since Gordon shot to prominence among the Liverpool fanbase, it's perhaps a surprise to discover the winger doesn't leave his teenage years until October.

But having made his senior debut way back in September 2021, the youngster has had a genuine rollercoaster of a Reds career, from the highs of scoring in the FA Cup and featuring in the League Cup semi-final in January 2022, to the significant low of 18 months on the sidelines with a pelvic injury related to his growth.

This season, then, has been one of rebuild.

While having started the Europa League dead rubber at Union Saint-Gilloise and had brief substitute outings against Bournemouth and Southampton, Gordon has primarily been a regular with the U21s since New Year and against Palace was named captain.

He responded with an outstanding second-half display, cleverly pulling one goal back before curling in a brilliant second and then teeing up Nyoni for a similarly impressive strike, three goals inside four minutes that transformed the match.

And in the second half, it looked more like the Kieran Morrison you see with the under-18s."

There won't be many opponents as physically imposing as Palace during Morrison's Academy career, and while an at times steep learning curve he was never disheartened or stepped away from the battle.

Expect to see a lot more of the tricky winger in Premier League 2 next season.

Double European return

This was the first experience of the Premier League 2 play-offs that have been introduced this season.

It meant Liverpool, who finished eighth, were at home to Palace, who ended the regular campaign ninth.

"I thought we played well in the first half against a good Palace side, but we told the boys at half-time to take the handbrake off," says Lewtas.

By finishing in the top 12 of the regular table, the Reds ensured they will take part in the Premier League International Cup - the final of which this term, coincidentally, sees Palace take on PSV Eindhoven next week.

The real prize, though, is the senior team's top-four finish and Champions League qualification means a return to the UEFA Youth League after an absence of a season.

With Morrison, Nyoni, Amara Nallo, Carter Pinnington, Josh Davidson and Lewis Koumas - who all started against Palace - eligible to feature, it will offer further development opportunities in a competition in which senior regulars Trent Alexander-Arnold, Curtis Jones and Harvey Elliott all cut their teeth.


For more news relating to Spurs, visit our sister site Spurs Latest Live.