Wiles has a case for the defence

U18S BOSS CLEAR ON REASONS FOR HEAVY DEFEAT

- By IAN DOYLE

STATISTICS don’t always tell the full story in football. But there's one that says everything about a turbulent season for Liverpool's under-18 side.

A hugely disappointing 7-0 reverse at home to Manchester United at the weekend meant the 11 games in which the Reds have played in the U18 Premier League North this term have seen an astonishing combined total of 73 goals.

The heavy loss at the Academy in Kirkby continued a trend of sizeable home defeats over the past few months, with a 5-3 reverse to Sunderland followed by a 6-3 beating against Nottingham Forest. Earlier in the season, Blackburn Rovers won 8-3 at Kirkby.

Since inflicting leaders Manchester City’s only reverse of the league campaign in mid-October, Liverpool have taken just one point and now stand ninth in the 14-team league.