Match reportCaoimhin Kelleher returns from injury as U21s draw with Arsenal
Caoimhin Kelleher made his comeback from injury in Liverpool U21s' 1-1 draw with Arsenal in Premier League 2 on Saturday afternoon.
The goalkeeper enjoyed his first appearance of the season as he started and completed the contest at the Kirkby Academy, which saw Harvey Blair equalise midway through the second half to earn a point for the young Reds.
The hosts could have ended as winners but Luke Chambers had a penalty well saved by Hubert Graczyk 11 minutes before the end.
Barry Lewtas' side started the game brightly and had a strong early appeal for a spot-kick turned down when Bobby Clark was upended in the area.
After an impressive Stefan Bajcetic switch of play, Melkamu Frauendorf watched his shot deflect narrowly wide after an encouraging run.
But the Gunners grew more and more as the first half went on, and grabbed the lead shortly before its conclusion.
Liverpool failed to clear an in-swinging corner from the right and Joel Ideho was in position to take advantage, poking in to make it 1-0.
Kelleher ensured the difference was just one goal at the break when he saved well from Amario Cozier-Duberry.
In a second period that was slow to get going, Layton Stewart created the opening that saw the Reds draw level.
The No.9 received the ball from deep and spun past his defender before laying the ball off to Blair, who clinically drilled an effort into the bottom corner.
Substitutes Dominic Corness and Mateusz Musialowski then combined to earn Liverpool an opportunity from the penalty spot, with the latter brought down in the box by Reuell Walters.
Chambers stepped up to take responsibility, though Graczyk was a match for his placed effort.
Finishing the game strongly, Lewtas' charges were denied again by Graczyk, who produced a double save to frustrate Frauendorf and then Musialowski.
Stewart may have clinched a win right at the end but Luca Stephenson's low cross into the box was just out of the reach of the No.9.
Liverpool U21s: Kelleher, Mabaya, Jonas, Chambers, Norris, Bajcetic, Stephenson, Clark (Corness, 62), Frauendorf, Blair (Musialowski, 74), Stewart.
Unused substitutes: Kelly, Spearing, Cannonier.