AcademyU18s match report: Liverpool beaten in derby meeting with Everton

AJ Yeguo's fourth-minute opener put the Reds ahead in the U18 Premier League North encounter, but that was cancelled out just before half-time.

The visitors then drew clear with two second-half goals to take all three points in Kirkby.

A nicely worked goal from a throw-in got Simon Wiles' home side in front early on.

Finn Inglethorpe's clever flick found Erik Farkas and his pinpoint pass in turn sent Yeguo in on goal for a composed finish.

Centre-back Harvey Owen was needed to make a strong block as Everton looked to respond, but it was the Reds who came closest to a second midway through the half.

Joe Upton's corner was met by Josh Sonni-Lambie's glance and the ball somehow hit the post and stayed on the line instead of crossing it, Blues goalkeeper Douglass Lukjanciks finally collecting gratefully.

There was half an hour on the clock before the away team really mustered an effort on goal, Demi Akarakiri feeding striker Ceiran Loney, who leaned back and shot well over.

Akarakiri was then denied by a post himself, a left-footed curler from the midfielder rebounding away to safety with Bailey Hall beaten.

The last few minutes of the half saw the game take a significant twist on some key moments.

With five minutes left, Sonni-Lambie's pass released Farkas in one-on-one with the goalkeeper. His effort, though, was pushed wide for a corner by Everton captain Lukjanciks.

The subsequent set-piece found Sonni-Lambie, whose overhead kick was headed home by Lucas Clarke, only for the Reds' celebrations to be cut short by the assistant's disputed offside flag.

And, two minutes before the break, Everton were level, Upton's pass intercepted in midfield and moved quickly to Ray Robert to convert clinically.

The Blues got themselves ahead within three minutes of the restart, too. Robert fed Loney and his final shot had enough on it to beat Hall.

Liverpool subsequently had to hold on in the game for a while, with Clarke denying Robert via a fine tackle and Hall saving well with an outstretched arm from Kean Wren.

The Reds could have equalised with just over 20 minutes left, Haydn Murray-Holme's pass taking out the whole Everton defence, but Sonni-Lambie's shot was saved low down by Lukjanciks.

Five minutes later, Murray-Holme repeated the trick, this time providing a wonderful opportunity for goalscorer Yeguo to get his second. However, his strike was sent over the bar when through to face the goalkeeper.

The let-offs for Everton seemed destined to be costly and so it proved on 79 minutes as a delivery from the right found Wren, who made no mistake from close range to complete the scoring.

Team

Liverpool U18s: Hall, O'Connor, Ayman, Owen, Clarke, Upton, Lee Forrester, Farkas (Murray-Holme, 64), Inglethorpe, Sonni-Lambie, Yeguo.

Unused subs: Bernard, Powney Wain, Hickman, Konde.

Next up

Wiles' charges return to the Academy on Saturday (November 1) for a league clash with Sunderland. Kick-off is 12.30pm GMT.