AcademyU18s match report: Reds play out friendly draw with Blackburn Rovers

Simon Wiles opted to rotate his young squad for the fixture and saw his side take a two-goal lead into the half-time break, with Scofield Lonmeni and Josh Sonni-Lambie both on target in stoppage time.

The former placed a shot into the bottom corner of the net from the edge of the area, while the latter clinically converted a penalty that Lonmeni had won.

However, Blackburn turned the game around just after the hour, netting three goals in quick succession to take the advantage.

Tom Cryer first produced a good finish after a well-placed ball through and then struck again to level, while Archie McCoy converted a free header to put Rovers in front.

Substitute Finn Inglethorpe, though, restored parity 12 minutes from time after Joe Bradshaw had a goal ruled out for offside.

Lonmeni sprinted through, forcing the goalkeeper to dart off his line to clear, leaving Inglethorpe to pick up the loose ball and lob into an empty net.

Bradshaw then almost found a winner late on, but his fizzed shot flew over the top of the bar in what was the last of the action.

Liverpool U18s: Bernard, Conde (Esdaille, 65), Powney Wain (Ayman, 65), Moran (Cisse, 65), Owen (Clarke, 65), Murray-Holme (Upton, 65), Martin (Yeguo, 65), Hickman (Murray-Holme, 75), Sonni-Lambie (Inglethorpe, 46), Lonmeni, Lee Forrester (Bradshaw, 65).

Unused sub: Wright.

Next up

The Reds return to competitive action when they host Newcastle United in U18 Premier League North on Saturday September 13, kick-off 1pm BST.