AcademyU21s match report: Liverpool 1-2 Manchester United

Jaydan Kamason scored an 81st-minute winner for the visitors, who recovered from an early deficit inflicted by Michael Laffey’s opening goal for Rob Page’s team.

Laffey’s header was cancelled out shortly before half-time by Chido Obi and, after both sides had hit the woodwork in the second period, Kamason struck late to claim all three points for United.

Superb combination play down the right flank between Lucas Pitt and Joe Bradshaw created the opener for Laffey with 11 minutes played.

Bradshaw, making his Premier League 2 debut, collected Pitt’s pass and shot from a tight angle. The effort was saved but Laffey had broken forward from midfield and was on hand to nod in the rebound.

Liverpool were shading an evenly matched contest and Trent Kone-Doherty forced United goalkeeper William Murdock into a stop after being found by a lovely pass by Laffey.

Moments later, the visitors drew level as Obi rounded off a swift counter-attack with a first-time finish.

United began the second half on the front foot and Kamason hit the crossbar with a header from Shea Lacey’s cross.

Two counters in the space of five minutes around the hour spelled danger for United, with the second again featuring impressive work by Laffey and Bradshaw.

The latter fed Keyrol Figueroa in the penalty area but the forward’s decision to take an extra touch gave Kamason the chance to get back and produce a last-ditch block.

Kone-Doherty was now Liverpool’s main attacking outlet and another surge down the left flank ended with him standing a cross to the back post. Figueroa kept the ball in play and it hit Bendito Mantato before striking the woodwork.

Lacey and Obi had been United’s primary threats all afternoon and both went close to scoring as the clock edged towards the final 10 minutes.

Liverpool ’keeper Armin Pecsi – being watched by his Hungarian compatriot Dominik Szoboszlai – was at full stretch to tip Lacey’s curler wide, before Obi shot narrowly over the bar.

A couple of minutes later Pecsi denied Obi but had the misfortune of the loose ball presenting itself to Kamason, who slotted home.

Team

Liverpool U21s: Pecsi, Pitt, Pinnington, Lucky, Miles (Ramsay, 58), Trueman (Onanuga, 58), Bradshaw (Airoboma, 80), Davidson (Ahmed, 80), Figueroa, Laffey, Kone-Doherty.

Unused sub: Hall.

Next up

The U21s visit Ipswich Town in Premier League 2 on Saturday lunchtime (12pm BST kick-off).