Pacheco Winner Means Liverpool Under-21’s Remain Undefeated

Dani Pacheco reminded Brendan Rodgers of the talent available in the youth side as he helped the Liverpool Under-21 side kick off 2013 with a 1-0 win over Southampton.

It was the club's first game in the Elite Group after qualifying for this stage of the Under-21 league by finishing top of tthe table in Phase 1; boasting an impressive record of nine wins and three draws in their 12 games.

The competition now becomes even tougher with Liverpool facing the very best youth sides in the country including Manchester United, Tottenham, Arsenal and West Ham.

However, it was more of the same as Liverpool picked off the New Year with another win thanks to a superbly taken goal from Pacheco on the hour mark. The forward beat two Southampton defenders before driving the ball home with a slight deflection from defender Jordan Turnbull.

The Spanish forward has struggled to make an impact in the first team since joining Liverpool back in 2009 but will be hoping that his performances for the Under-21 side begin to catch the eye of Rodgers.

Pacheco has been a regular in the youth sides this season and always looked a handful for the Southampton defence who did well to keep the scoreline down to just a single goal.

Liverpool created a host of chances with giant forward Michael Ngoo guilty of missing two gilt edge chances in the first half that he really should have done better with.

Pacheco missed an easy chance just 90 seconds into the second half and even after his goal wasted numerous chances to extend Liverpool's lead.

Nevertheless it was another win for Alex Inglethorpe's side who will be hoping that they can continue their superb form into the second half of the season.

The Reds find themselves top of the table as Arsenal could only manage a 1-1 draw with West Brom last week, while the remaining four sides have yet to play their first game.