Match reportLiverpool U18s draw with Valencia in SuperCupNI opener
Liverpool U18s began their participation in this week's SuperCupNI with a 1-1 draw against Valencia on Monday night.
A good crowd at the Ballymena Showgrounds in Northern Ireland saw both goals arrive in the second half, with the Reds taking the lead through a tremendous Keyrol Figueroa strike before Joaquim Utges levelled for the Spanish outfit.
It was therefore a point apiece to start the four-team group, and Marc Bridge-Wilkinson’s side next meet Manchester United at Coleraine Showgrounds on Wednesday night.
The first half was dominated by a number of Valencia chances, but it did not start out that way. A mistake in the opposition defence saw the ball run to Figueroa within the first two minutes but his strong shot was just too high.
The young striker was involved again shortly afterwards, leaping well to meet Joe Bradshaw’s free-kick but unable to keep his effort under the crossbar.
Liverpool goalkeeper Nathan Morana handled a couple of shots comfortably from range before needing to make a better low save after a defensive error handed Valencia the ball inside the box.
The Spanish side were dominating territory now, setting traps for the young Reds, who created a few problems for themselves as they tried to play out.
Halfway through the period, a ball from the back opened up the Liverpool defence, leaving Pablo Lopez one on one with Morana – but he blazed his shot too high.
Bridge-Wilkinson made four changes at the break with three games in five days to plan for, though it was a Valencia substitute who had the first chance as David Martinez curled just wide.
But it was not long before Figueroa had his moment, unleashing a superb strike from all of 25 yards that left Raul Jimenez grasping at thin air and put Liverpool in front.
Kieran Morrison’s arrival from the bench saw him combine with Trent Kone-Doherty and cause problems, while Morana stopped a strong drive from Lopez.
The Reds’ advantage lasted just 11 minutes, however. Lopez found space down the left and his pass was picked up in a dangerous area by Utges, who blasted low past Morana.
Both teams had good chances to win the game in the final stages. Kareem Ahmed set up Cody Pennington, who side-stepped a defender but struck over the bar with just the ’keeper to beat.
For Valencia, the influential Lopez sent a spectacular effort against the underside of the bar, and Liverpool then could have won it with the last touch.
Excellent work down the left from Josh Davidson was followed by a cross that found Figueroa alone in front of goal, but he headed too high.
The shared points between the Reds and Valencia means Hertha BSC top the early standings having beaten United 2-1 in the other group game of the night.
Liverpool U18s: Morana, Gyimah (Davidson, 45), Esdaille, Osborne (Pinnington, 45), Furnell-Gill, Kelly, Bradshaw (Morrison, 45), Pennington, Kone-Doherty, Danns (Ahmed, 45), Figueroa.