U18s match reportLiverpool play out dramatic 5-5 draw with Manchester United

First-half goals from Lee Jonas and Harvey Blair put the Reds ahead at the break in the U18 Premier League North clash, while two strikes by Bobby Clark either side of an Oakley Cannonier effort made it five.

An impressive performance in the final third wasn’t enough for Marc Bridge-Wilkinson’s side, though, as the Red Devils snatched a late point in injury time.

It was the hosts who started the better of the two teams as Jonas met a Luca Stephenson free-kick to nod into the back of the net.

Blair then added a stunning second just after the half-hour mark, cutting inside to curl a shot into the top corner from outside the box.

The visitors earned one back in stoppage time through Ethan Ennis, though Liverpool quickly restored the two-goal cushion after the change of ends.

Clark finished off a decisive break as Blair turned provider to deliver low into the box, before the Reds added a fourth through Cannonier from close range.

Two quickfire goals from United again made it a contest, however, Willy Kambwala and Joe Hugill scoring within 90 seconds of each other.

Clark found the back of the net again thanks to a low cross from the right following a driving run from Isaac Mabaya with 13 minutes to go.

But the game took another twist in the final exchanges, Dan Gore’s mazy run setting up Ennis to provide a nervy finish to proceedings.

Cannonier had the ball in the back of the net from a corner late on, yet the offside flag was raised and halted celebrations quickly.

It was United who had the final say of the contest in the first minute of added time, Kobbie Mainoo’s cutback finding Hugill free in the area again for his second of the afternoon.

Liverpool mustered a response with several dangerous attacks but were made to settle for a point from a topsy-turvy encounter to remain second in the U18 PL North standings.

Liverpool U18s: Mrozek, Mabaya, Scanlon, Miles, Jonas, Stephenson (Davidson, 63), Blair (Lucky, 75), Pilling, Cannonier, McConnell, Clark.

Unused substitutes: Hewitson, Pennington, Giblin.