Heartbreak for Reds in FA Youth Cup defeat at Manchester City
There was heartache for Liverpool's youngsters after they lost 3-1 away to Manchester City in the FA Youth Cup fourth round on Wednesday night.
Rhian Brewster notched a brilliant equalising goal for the Reds, but two strikes in the second 45 minutes were enough for City to book a fifth-round date with Southampton.
The home side took the lead on the half-hour mark when an excellent run by Jadon Sancho down the left led to Tom Dele-Bashiru firing the opener.
Brewster then produced an outstanding finish to restore parity - and it was game well and truly on.
But the timing of City's second goal, when Sado Diallo forced the ball home from a corner, proved pivotal and their victory was wrapped up through a glancing header from Lukas Nmecha to put the game beyond Liverpool.
Photo gallery: The City tie in pictures
Reflecting on the defeat, Neil Critchley told Liverpoolfc.com: "Overall, I am proud of the lads, who gave it everything.
"We couldn't have done much more physically; our work, organisation and attitude was first-class.
"Rhian scored an excellent goal to get us back in it and at 1-1 going into half-time, we were very much in the contest.
"The biggest disappointment for me was conceding a soft goal from a corner which saw City go 2-1 up.
"We know they are a very good side and to gift them a goal at such a crucial moment was so frustrating.
"We were then chasing the game and, unfortunately, you are always vulnerable to the other team scoring a third goal, which is what happened."
Liverpool U18s: Grabara, Owens, Lewis, Parker, Johnston, Masterson, Simmonds (Adekanye 75), Coyle (Millar 72), Brewster (T Gomes 82), Jones, Dhanda. Unused substitutes: Kelleher, Lattie.