AcademyU23s reaction: 'The way we finished the game is a real positive'

After a tough first half at the Academy, in part due to weather conditions that caused two stoppages in play, the Reds fell behind in the third minute of added time.

The wind took the ball over goalkeeper Marcelo Pitaluga from a corner and was deflected into the back of his own net by the unfortunate Tom Clayton.

Lewtas’ side took the game to their opponents in the second 45 and created some great chances, with Leighton Clarkson twice almost equalising and Fidel O’Rourke missing from close range.

However, with time almost up, Clarkson’s corner fell to Tyler Morton at the back post and he produced a delightful cross to the head of Williams, who did the rest to prompt great celebrations between Lewtas and his players.

“They were a real threat on the counter-attack but I never at any point thought we deserved to lose the game,” Lewtas told Liverpoolfc.com.

“I was disappointed with the goal bang on half-time and the way we conceded it, but second half the conditions improved a bit and I still thought we were the team on top.

“At the minute we know we are doing lots of things really well but there’s a few things we are not doing so well.

“It’s not just one person but as a team we aren’t scoring enough goals and haven’t been working the opposition goalkeeper enough.

“We had some chances and Fidel had a great chance which he should have scored from, but we were the standout team going for it and in the end we take a point.

“We needed that bit of quality which Tyler provided with the cross and there was only going to be one winner there with Rhys, he put everything into it.”

Lewtas felt there were many positives he and his coaching staff could take from the game as the young Reds responded well to the 3-0 defeat by Leeds United at Elland Road in their previous outing.

“In many games this season we have had the hard lines story and we’ve got to try to put that right,” he said.

“We’ve got to turn good performances into results, that’s the next step for these lads, they’ve got to feel that and understand it, and today I felt that was there.

“Yes, it’s only a point but I felt the performance and the way we finished the game is a real positive.”

Lewtas was also delighted with the contribution of Williams, who was an inspirational figure throughout the 90 minutes.

“You talk about the togetherness and the attitude and you see that with Rhys, who is first-class,” he said.

“He’s been out on loan this season and he was with the first team last season but when he comes down to play for us he does it properly, so fair play to him.”

Liverpool U23s are back in action on Friday night when they face Arsenal in Premier League 2 at Boreham Wood.

“We’re looking forward to it,” added Lewtas. “It’s always a great game against Arsenal. We’ll be up against a great opponent, but we’ll be ready for it and train hard this week.”