AcademyU21s match report: Kaide Gordon scores as Liverpool draw at Fulham

The Cottagers had won four from four in the league heading into the contest, but it was the Reds who built on a strong start by opening the scoring.

Kaide Gordon delivered the game’s first goal in the 11th minute from close range to earn Rob Page’s side an early advantage.

They entered the interval with that lead intact, though were eventually pegged back with 19 minutes remaining as Fulham levelled.

Aaron Loupalo-Bi was the player on target for the hosts after he collected a loose ball in the Liverpool half to finish.

The two sides could not be separated thereafter and the points were shared.

U21s head coach Page told Liverpoolfc.com post-match: “I think we’ve done enough to win the game. We had to dig in at the end, but I was really pleased with the character of the players because there are many ways to get points out of games.

“They had to show strength in character at the end and defend and throw their bodies on the line and they did it. They had to defend the box at times, win some big headers and U21s football isn’t always about that, it’s a lot about trying to play the perfect way.

“I thought we mixed it up really well today. We showed we could come away from home and get a point for us to build on.

“Maybe we came off it a bit after we took the lead, we’ve still got to be aggressive and we’ve still got to want to go and get the second and the third [goal], so that’s something to work on.

“Overall though, again, I’m really pleased with the attitude and application - they were first-class.”

Team

Liverpool: Hall, Ramsay, R. Williams, Davidson, Miles, Trueman (Pinnington, 56), Laffey (Onanuga, 78), Gordon, Pilling, Morrison, Figueroa (Bradshaw, 65).

Unused subs: Mrozek, Pitt.

Next up

The Reds’ U21s will return to action in the Vertu Trophy on Tuesday October 14 following the upcoming international break.

Liverpool travel to take on League Two outfit Crewe Alexandra in a 7pm BST kick-off at Mornflake Stadium.