AcademyLiverpool U23s earn draw with Manchester City at the Etihad

Barry Lewtas’ side had their moments in the contest, with Jack Bearne going close on a few occasions and Dominic Corness having a great chance to win it late on.

The point extends the young Reds’ unbeaten run to five games and Lewtas praised debutant goalkeeper Oscar Kelly for his performance.

Lewtas told Liverpoolfc.com: “It was a great experience for the boys to play at the Etihad and it was a really good game between two really good teams.

“We created some good chances, as did City, but I thought we built our play really well. In the second half we had to weather some good play from them but I thought we did it really well.

“Oscar was fantastic for us on his debut and made a couple of good saves. He did unbelievably well, his distribution was excellent and he made good decisions.

“We were a real threat all night, we got in behind them quite a bit and we could have won it right at the end when Dominic had a chance, but it wasn’t to be.

“I can’t fault any of the lads, there was a real contribution in what was a really good game of football.”

Liverpool U23s are not back in action until Sunday April 3 when they host Chelsea, with Lewtas adding: “Tonight just carries on from the good form where we have been recently.

“After Christmas our performances have been good, even the Leeds United game we lost I didn’t think we played that badly.

“The boys are doing really well and we are showing different sides to what we can really do.”

Liverpool U23s: Kelly, Bradley (Corness, 78), Norris, Williams, Koumetio (Quansah, 66), Clarkson, Bearne, Morton, Woltman, Clayton, Balagizi (O’Rourke, 69).

Unused substitutes: Hewitson, Wilson.