U21s suffer last-gasp heartache
Missed chances proved costly as a stoppage-time goal saw Liverpool U21s lose 1-0 to Chelsea in the opening game of the new season on Sunday at Langtree Park.
In the second minute of injury time with the young Reds pushing forward hoping for the winning goal, they were caught on the counter-attack.
Charlie Musonda provided an inviting pass for Tammy Abraham and the England U18 striker beat Ryan Fulton to grab the three points.
Up to that point Michael Beale’s charges had been impressive. With Cameron Brannagan leading by example in the middle of the park, Alex O'Hanlon spraying the ball around from left to right with precision and style, and Sergi Canos and Harry Wilson a threat in the wide areas, all that was lacking in the play was a goal.
After just six minutes Brannagan was so unlucky when his 20-yard drive beat Mitchell Beeney but the ball cannoned back off the bar, and Jerome Sinclair could only fire the rebound over the top.
A minute later, Canos worked an opening but his drive was superbly saved by Beeney, then at the other end Ryan Fulton was at his best to keep out a deflected effort from Kasey Palmer.
On the stroke of half-time Brannagan had a great chance when Canos found him with an inviting cross, but the skipper couldn’t keep his header down as the ball sailed over the bar.
Beale’s team continued their pressure after the break.
Beeney made a stunning save at point blank range when a Canos cross from the right was met by Chelsea defender Fikayo Tomori. With Sinclair breathing down his neck, Tomori’s attempted clearance almost went into his own net, but Beeney showed amazing reflexes to keep the ball out of the net.
In the opening 15 minutes of the second period Canos was almost unplayable down the right. On 58 minutes a superb pass from Brannagan sent him racing away, but instead of pulling the ball back to the unmarked Sinclair the No.7 went for goal himself and could only find the side netting.
On 70 minutes came the chance of the game. Sinclair, a constant menace to the Chelsea backline, chased down the ball and turned Tomori inside out but from an inviting position could only fire the ball wide of the target.
Wilson then cut inside from the right and shot straight at Beeney before Tomori did brilliantly to prevent Sinclair converting a brilliant Ryan Kent cross from the left.
As the game approached 90 minutes Wilson teed up Connor Randall, who found himself free in the area, but the full-back could only fire wide of the target.
Minutes later Chelsea broke clear and Abraham won the game for the visitors with a cool finish.
Liverpool U21s: Fulton, Randall, Maguire, Cleary, Brewitt, Chirivella (Kent 65), Canos (Dunn 73), Brannagan, Sinclair (Yesil 82), O’Hanlon, Wilson.
Subs not used: Firth, M Gomes.