AcademyU18s match report: Liverpool defeated by Manchester City

The young Reds’ first-half performance made it an evenly matched affair before the break, although U18 Premier League North leaders City went in a goal to the good at the interval through Matty Warhurst’s first of the day.

However, after Warhurst scored again immediately from the restart, City moved through the gears and were 4-0 up by the midway point of the second period as Reigan Heskey – son of former Liverpool striker Emile – netted a free-kick and a penalty.

And Kian Noble rounded off a comfortable victory for the visitors with their fifth goal in stoppage time.

The opening half an hour saw both teams offering attacking threat, with Marc Bridge-Wilkinson’s side doing so in transition and City dangerous from set-pieces.

Young Reds full-back Cameron Williams cleared off the goalline following an early City corner before a Liverpool counter-attack ended with Josh Sonni-Lambie’s shot being deflected into the side-netting.

After City had hit the crossbar from another corner, Williams broke forward and drilled in a low cross that was cleared and Afolami Onanuga then saw an effort blocked after excellent link-up involving Sonni-Lambie and Kareem Ahmed.

But with 24 minutes on the clock, the visitors took the lead – and, inevitably they did so via a set-piece. Heskey delivered from the left and Warhurst, just on as a substitute, flicked home a clever back-heel at the front post.

More alert defending from Williams was required to keep Bridge-Wilkinson’s team within touching distance of parity as he did brilliantly to clear Christian Dunbar-McDonald’s cross when a second City goal appeared certain.

Liverpool kept at their task and Ahmed’s attempt was blocked before, at the other end, goalkeeper Bailey Hall got the better of Warhurst in a one-on-one after the City forward had shrugged off defender Harvey Ward.

After a competitive first half, City pulled away after the break. Warhurst’s second arrived straight from kick-off as the striker was set free in behind and produced a clinical finish into the top corner.

Heskey then took centre stage as he first curled in a superb free-kick from an angle before winning, and converting, a spot-kick to make it four.

A hat-trick goal nearly followed late on for Heskey, but the forward was this time denied by a fine save from Hall.

City did get their fifth deep into added time, though, as Noble shot in off the post.

Team

Liverpool: Hall, Esdaille, Williams, Owen, Enahoro-Marcus, Lonmeni (Airoboma, 70), O’Connor, Ayman, Sonni-Lambie, Onanuga (Cisse, 82), Ahmed (Martin, 88).

Unused subs: Bernard, Bradshaw.

Next up

The U18s are back in league action next Wednesday (April 23) when they travel to Middlesbrough for a 1pm BST kick-off.