Liverpool U23s 0-4 Leeds U23s: Gelhardt hits stunning brace

Joe Gelhardt hit two goal of the season contenders as Leeds United U23s thrashed Liverpool at the AXA Training Centre.

The former Wigan forward scored his goals either side of strikes from Amari Miller and Pascal Struijk as Mark Jackson’s side rose to fourth in the Premier League 2 table, just three points behind leaders Manchester City.

Leeds opened the scoring after 12 minutes when Gelhardt, still in the centre circle, caught Marcelo Pitaluga off his line and scored from almost 50 yards out.

Scorer turned provider when the 19-year-old set up Amari Miller inside the box for his first league goal since joining from Birmingham City.

Miller thought he had a second after the half-time interval when he slotted home Stuart McKinstry’s cross, but the goal was ruled offside in the build-up.

The Whites scored their third soon afterwards, though, as Pascal Struijk - suspended in the Premier League for his challenge on Harvey Elliot in the recent meeting between the senior sides - rose to power home a header from McKinstry’s corner.

Two minutes later, Gelhardt somehow managed to top his earlier opener when he sidestepped a challenge before letting loose from around 30 yards out, finding the far top left corner.

Last season’s PL2 Division 2 champions are back in action on Friday night when they host Blackburn Rovers at York City’s LNER Stadium.

Would you like to see Joe Gelhardt make his senior debut in Leeds’ upcoming Carabao Cup tie against Fulham? Which of his two goals from yesterday do you think were better? Vote in the poll below and let us know in the comments and on Twitter.