Match reportLiverpool U18s denied mini-derby win by late Everton equaliser

Kareem Ahmed and Elijah Gift were on the scoresheet for the Reds, who were denied the victory by Martin Sherif's 90th-minute equaliser.

Ahmed marked his first start at U18 level with the opening goal early on, with Sherif equalising for Everton later on in the first half.

Gift then put the hosts 2-1 up just before the hour mark with a brilliant run and curling effort from distance.

A young Liverpool XI started well and went ahead with five minutes on the clock.

Gift pressed Jack Butler into submission of possession and carried the ball into the penalty area, where Ahmed was in position to sweep home with a first-time finish.

Everton, managed by Leighton Baines, recovered well from the early setback, forcing Wellity Lucky into a vital block that stopped a certain goal in minute 22.

But the Blues did eventually level the scoreline five minutes before half-time. Owen Barker won the ball on the edge of the box and delivered an accurate cut-back to Sherif, who made no mistake in front of goal.

Little occurred in the opening stages of the second period until a piece of brilliance from Gift.

The Reds restored their lead when the Spaniard cut inside from the right wing, skipped past a blue shirt and curled an effort into the far bottom corner from outside the area.

But Marc Bridge-Wilkinson's side could not hold onto the three points as Sherif netted his second of the day at the start of injury time from Matthew Apter's through ball.

Both teams even had opportunities to win it in the final seconds.

Josh Davidson's cross from the right ended up hitting the post, with Trent Kone-Doherty unable to convert the rebound, while at the other end Fabian Mrozek made a vital save to deny Sherif his hat-trick.

Liverpool U18s: Mrozek, Davidson, Pitt, Lucky (Hayes-Green, 46), Gyimah, Pennington, Onanuga, Morrison, Gift, Ahmed, Young (Kone-Doherty, 62).

Unused substitutes: Hewitson, Giblin, Roberts.