AcademyU21s match report: Liverpool beaten at home to Chelsea in PL2
Liverpool U21s were beaten 3-0 by Chelsea in their Premier League 2 fixture at the Academy on Sunday afternoon.
A tight first half left the game goalless at the break but the visitors pulled away in the second period with three goals, and the Reds ended with 10 men due to a second yellow card for substitute Lee Jonas.
The opening 45 minutes in Kirkby were footballing stalemate, with neither side able to create a clear-cut chance.
Both worked hard to try to find space but players on both teams were doing their jobs and neither goalkeeper was seriously worked.
A poor touch from home captain Amara Nallo almost allowed Ato Ampah a run in on goal after 12 minutes but the Chelsea man’s touch was heavy and Harvey Davies was off his line in a flash to deny him.
The home side’s best opportunities looked to be in freeing Trent Kone-Doherty down the right side, with Tommy Pilling and Isaac Mabaya both setting him away, but the visitors defended well in their box to turn away the Northern Ireland youth international.
Liverpool lost left-back Terence Miles to a hamstring injury at the half-hour mark but the defence remained solid with Jonas coming in off the bench.
Rio Ngumoha burst into life on 36 minutes, beating a defender on the left and lashing in a strong shot on goal that was turned away well by goalkeeper Ted Curd, while Kiano Dyer shot straight at Davies when well placed on the edge of the box.
The second half began well for the Reds, with Kieran Morrison finding himself in a great position but he blasted his shot well over the bar.
Instead it was the visitors who grabbed the initiative with the opening goal on 56 minutes. Ampah, a real threat throughout the second half, escaped down the right and his cutback was fired home by Dyer.
Liverpool looked to fight back and Morrison again shot over after good work from Ngumoha, before Keyrol Figueroa caught Chelsea playing out to create a chance for Kone-Doherty, though the finish was again too high.
Morrison’s free-kick was met by the head of Jonas but his effort was too close to Curd, who held well with 20 minutes left.
The next goal was going to be crucial and it arrived for the visitors with just over 15 minutes left. A short-corner routine on the right ended with a cross into the box, substitute Shumaira Mheuka rising highest to head home.
The deficit should have been reduced straight away, a superb through ball from Jonas putting Kone-Doherty in on goal but his shot was too close to Curd, who produced a solid save.
With three minutes remaining, Ampah proved the difference once again, getting the wrong side of Jonas as he attacked the box. The Liverpool defender was shown a second yellow card for his challenge as the referee pointed to the spot.
Donnell McNeilly dispatched the penalty kick to give the final scoreline a one-sided look that seemed unlikely for the majority of the match.
Team
Liverpool: Davies, Mabaya (Pinnington, 81), Miles (Jonas, 31), Lucky, Nallo, Pilling, Kone-Doherty, Nyoni (Laffey, 81), Figueroa (Young, 70), Morrison, Ngumoha.
Unused sub: Misciur.
Next up
Barry Lewtas’ side are back in Premier League 2 action on Friday (February 21), visiting Stoke City.
Kick-off at bet365 Stadium will be 7pm GMT.