Will Wright scored his second UEFA Youth League hat-trick as Liverpool Under-19s continued their unbeaten European campaign with a 5-3 win over Fenerbahce at Pendik Stadium on Wednesday.
Having notched three against LASK in Austria last month, captain Wright - who now has 13 for the season in all competitions - registered another hat-trick in Istanbul to go joint top scorer of the competition.
Wright opens scoring and adds penalty
Former Salford City striker Wright opened the scoring after just three minutes when his header squirmed through the grasp of goalkeeper Ruzgar Akgul.
The No.9 then had his second from the penalty spot after a disagreement with Josh Sonni-Lambie, who won the spot kick, over who should take it. Wright eventually prevailed over his colleague before rifling home from 12 yards.
The hosts halved the deficit through Emin Sayar before Sonni-Lambie put aside his penalty disappointment to tuck home smartly, quickly restoring the two-goal advantage in the process.
Eight goals and a red card in Istanbul
Finn Inglethorpe finished off a fine move involving an unselfish, hat-trick-hunting Wright before Sayar grabbed a second for the Turkish side before the break.
Oliver O'Connell went close with a superb free-kick almost immediately after the restart, but the goalkeeper was equal to the shot, tipping it over the bar.
An otherwise subdued second half eventually sprang to life with two goals in as many minutes on 68 and 69. Baracan Yolacan steered home past Bailey Hall for Fenerbahce to make it 4-3 after the impressive O'Connell had initially made a great block.
Liverpool went up the other end and made it 5-3 with Wright finishing a through ball from 15-year-old Luca Eden, who excelled in midfield.
Fenerbahce were reduced to 10 men in the closing stages when Ali Demibirek was dismissed for putting his knee into O'Connor, who was on the floor after challenging for possession.
