Kent and Brannagan on target but young Reds held in Nevada
Liverpool U21s played out an entertaining 2-2 draw with Sacramento Republic FC in Reno, Nevada on Wednesday night as they continued their post-season tour of the United States.
The young Reds were denied victory with a last-gasp goal from the hosts in front of a crowd of 6,287 at Greater Nevada Field – the first ever football game held at the venue.
Just five days on from a 2-1 defeat to the same opposition on Saturday, Liverpool took an early lead courtesy of a Ryan Kent finish after he’d been sent scampering into space by Kevin Stewart.
However, Sacramento Republic drew level before half-time when former LFC Academy starlet Daniel Trickett-Smith beat Shamal George with a curling free-kick from range.
The Reds regained the lead with 13 minutes remaining with the help of a sublime solo goal from Cameron Brannagan.
The playmaker twisted and turned into space inside the box before scooping the ball over the goalkeeper and into the top corner.
Nevertheless, there was to be one final sting in the tail as the home team secured a draw at the last when Harry Williams powered an effort beyond George to ensure the contest finished all square.
Liverpool U21s: George, Randall (Whelan), Maguire (Hart), Masterson (Brewitt), Jones, Stewart (Phillips), Canos (Virtue), Kane (M Gomes), T Gomes (Lennon), Brannagan, Kent.