AcademyU18s match report: Liverpool lose at Leicester in Premier League Cup

The defeat at the Foxes’ Seagrave training ground means Simon Wiles’ young Reds cannot advance to the knockout rounds of the competition.

The visitors enjoyed the lion’s share of possession for much of the encounter but it was Leicester who landed more efforts on goal.

And, indeed, it was the home team who produced the single decisive moment.

Joe Corden netted on the cusp of the hour mark to give Leicester a lead that held for the remainder, with Reds substitute Finn Inglethorpe coming closest to an equaliser from an effort that hit the woodwork.

Aston Villa’s 7-1 victory over Newcastle United elsewhere in Group B on the day confirms Liverpool’s elimination ahead of their final fixture, against the Magpies next month.

Reflecting on the game, U18s head coach Wiles told Liverpoolfc.com: “It was disappointing to lose the game but we probably didn’t create enough clear-cut chances to get anything from it.

“We had a few changes to our line-up and it was an opportunity to give some game time to players and that was Oliver O’Connor’s first start since returning from injury.

“In the first half we did well playing against the wind, we moved the ball well with our build-up but just lacked that last action in the final third when some of our decisions could have been a bit better.

“La’more Lee Forrester was a real constant threat for us and caused problems, which was pleasing.

“In the second half it was a little bit of a different game with the wind behind us. Unfortunately we got done with a ball in behind and their player ran through to score.

“We tried to change things and made four attacking substitutions. Josh Abe had a chance when the ’keeper saved it and we also had a set-piece when Lucas Clarke went close.

“Finn Inglethorpe then tried a 25-yarder from an acute angle when he hit the upright, it was a brilliant effort and he was so unlucky.

“I come away from the game with still quite positive thoughts from our first-half display and there are areas that we need to keep working on, so a real good learning for all of the players.”

Team

Liverpool U18s: Misciur, Conde, Clarke, Cisse, Owen, Upton, O’Connor (Sonni-Lambie, 68), Murray-Holme, Martin (Yeguo, 64), Lonmeni (Inglethorpe, 64), Lee Forrester (Abe, 68).

Unused sub: Bernard.

Next up

There’s a fortnight wait for the U18s’ next competitive outing, a trip to Manchester City in league football.

That is set for an 11am BST kick-off on Saturday October 18.