OLDHAM ATHLETIC 3, LIVERPOOL U21 2
Defenders Alex Iacovitti and Jamie Stott came up with important goals as Oldham Athletic registered their first win of the season.
Latics, beaten 1-0 at Forest Green Rovers on the opening day of their Sky Bet League Two campaign, bounced back with victory against Liverpool U21s in their first Leasing.com Trophy group game.
It was all change as head coach Laurent Banide retained only three of the starters from the Forest Green Rovers game, Iacovitti. Tom Hamer and Mohamed Sylla.
Liverpool took a fourth minute lead after a poor headed clearance from Iacovitto found Neco Williams who found the top corner with a stunning volley.
And it could have been worse not long after when Bobby Duncan was denied by a super save from Gregor Zabret.
Latics almost equalised after an error from Liverpool goalkeeper Daniel Atherton as Gevaro Nepomuceno chipped him only for a defender to clear off the line.
Latics should have been level from the resulting corner when Atherton missed the catch, but Desire Segbe Azankpo could only head wide of an open goal.
Curtis Jones tried his luck from outside the box for the Reds and his curling effort hit the post and the danger was cleared as Latics lived dangerously.
Latics equalised in the 21st minute after they won the ball back high up the field and Azankpo was put clean through on goal. He stayed composed and lobbed the goalkeeper.
They then went ahead just short of the half hour when Chris Eagles’ free-kick from out wide was met by Iacovitti who towered above his man and headed into the bottom left corner.
Just before half-time the visitors equalised, Zabret did well to save Jones’ effort but he palmed it out to Elliot Harvey, the 16-year-old summer signing from Fulham, who tapped it into an empty net.
Latics suffered an injury blow on the stroke of half time when Azankpo was forced off with what looked a serious ankle injury.
Early into the second half, Nepomuceno whipped in a dangerous cross which found Eagles but his shot was saved.
Latics found the winner in the 81st minute from a Nepomuceno corner, Stott heading home to seal victory.
Oldham Athletic (4-4-2): Zabret, Hamer, Stott, Iacovitti, Smith-Brown; Eagles (Adams 69), Fage, Sylla, Nepomuceno; Azankpo (Gonzales 45), Vera (Dolan 75). Subs (not used): Allen, Jones, Robinson, Swaby-Neavin.
Goals: Azankpo (21), Iacovitti (29), Stott (81) for Latics. Williams (4), Elliot (44) for Liverpool.
Attendance: 1,522 (183 visitors).