AcademyU18s match report: Liverpool defeated at home by Manchester City
Teddie Lamb converted a penalty, moments after he’d seen his first spot-kick of the U18 Premier League North game saved by Kornel Misciur, to put the visitors ahead with 14 minutes gone.
The Reds responded strongly and, on the balance of play, deserved to be level, but a City counter-attack concluded with Dante Headley scoring on the hour and substitute Xavier Parker later rubber-stamped their victory with a third goal.
City started quickly and only a brilliant last-ditch interception by Liverpool defender Lucas Clarke – no doubt appreciated by Virgil van Dijk, who was watching from the sidelines – prevented them from taking an early lead following some trickery down the left from Tyrone Samba.
Finlay Gorman then fired wide as the visitors continued to push forward and the pressure Liverpool were under told as they conceded two penalties in quick succession.
Misciur saved Lamb’s first spot-kick by springing down to his right but, moments later, after he had been fouled in the area by Clarke, City’s No.9 stepped up again and converted this time.
The young Reds then managed to gain a foothold, with La’more Lee Forrester proving a threat down the right flank.
The No.7 was happy to run at Oliver Tevenan and, after beating his full-back, shot into the side-netting.
With 20 minutes on the clock, Liverpool appeared certain to equalise following a clever short corner. A quick turn and cross by Josh Sonni-Lambie was met with a powerful Prince Cisse header from point-blank range, but City goalkeeper Max Hudson somehow managed to save.
Lee Forrester again hit the side-netting from an angle and, just before the break, Oliver O’Connor saw an attempt deflect wide as Simon Wiles’ side ended the half on top.
Liverpool picked up where they left off after the interval and Hudson denied Sonni-Lambie and Lee Forrester.
Cisse was next to have a go, the centre-back striding forward after intercepting on halfway and sending a low drive narrowly wide.
City, though, remained dangerous and Samba whistled a shot just over as the visitors began to regain a measure of control – and, on the hour, they doubled their advantage through Headley.
Samba worked back to dispossess Sonni-Lambie and Reigan Heskey delivered a fine cross to the back post, where his opposite winger Headley was waiting to nod home.
Liverpool kept going and Sonni-Lambie was thwarted by City captain Leke Drake as he tried to slide in Lee Forrester’s cross before, at the other end, a clinical finish from Parker made sure of City’s win.
Team
Liverpool: Misciur, O’Connor, Cisse (Conde, 86), Clarke, Upton (Hickman, 84), Ayman, Murray-Holme (Eden, 46), Farkas, Lee Forrester, Yeguo (Konde, 84), Sonni-Lambie.
Unused sub: Hilditch.
Next up
Liverpool travel to Wolverhampton Wanderers in U18 Premier League North next Saturday (March 14), with kick-off scheduled for 11.30am GMT.