AcademyU23s play out mini-derby draw with Everton
Liverpool U23s were held to a 1-1 draw by Everton in Saturday’s mini-derby at the Academy.
Jack Bearne gave the young Reds the lead in the 61st minute, but a late equaliser by Tom Cannon earned the Blues a point in the Premier League 2 contest.
Both sides had chances to win it in stoppage time, with Mateusz Musialowski seeing a shot deflect just past the post and Ellis Simms firing wide after going through on goal, but the game finished level.
Everton spurned a huge opening with just three minutes played when Cannon blazed over the crossbar after Lewis Dobbin had broken away and crossed from the right.
The visitors’ five-at-the-back formation was denying Liverpool space, although James Balagizi nearly created and scored the opening goal himself shortly before half-time.
Balagizi pressed well and retrieved possession before seeing his shot well saved by Blues goalkeeper Harry Tyrer.
Barry Lewtas' team upped the tempo of their play after the interval and – after Dobbin had headed a cross straight at Marcelo Pitaluga at the other end – they were rewarded just after the hour mark.
Leighton Clarkson started the move with a superb pass to James Norris, who in turn played in Owen Beck on the overlap. The left-back produced a fine cross and Bearne was there to finish.
Clarkson curled a free-kick narrowly wide before Everton levelled seven minutes from time as Cannon converted after being found by Tyler Onyango’s throughball.
Musialowski and Simms then traded late opportunities to snatch victory as it ended all square in Kirkby.
Liverpool U23s: Pitaluga, Bradley, Clayton, Koumetio, Beck, Clarkson, Dixon-Bonner, Balagizi, Norris, Bearne, Woltman (Musialowski, 78).
Unused substitutes: Kelly, Quansah, Wilson.