Match reportYouth League quarter-final: Juventus 2-0 Liverpool
Liverpool U19s exited the UEFA Youth League with a 2-0 defeat by Juventus in Tuesday’s quarter-final.
Second-half goals by Fabio Miretti and Ange Josue Chibozo secured the win for the Italian side in Turin, where the young Reds spent much of the tie on the back foot as their Youth League journey came to an end.
A sharp save from Fabian Mrozek denied Matias Soule inside the opening three minutes of a first half during which Juve were predominantly in the ascendancy.
Liverpool retained a threat on the break, though, and Isaac Mabaya struck into the side-netting after speeding onto Conor Bradley’s arcing pass down the right flank.
Young Reds goalkeeper Mrozek was forced off with an apparent foot injury midway through the opening period and his replacement Luke Hewitson - a debutant at Youth League level - was straight into the action as he comfortably saved Soule’s free-kick.
Soule and Gabriele Mulazzi then both spurned presentable opportunities as the hosts cranked up the pressure, and Hewitson made an excellent stop at the feet of Chibozo on the stroke of half-time.
Marc Bridge-Wilkinson’s team asserted themselves in the early stages of the second half and an extended spell of possession fashioned a first sight of goal for Oakley Cannonier, who saw a swivelling half-volley blocked.
But Juve had regained control of the contest by the hour mark and two goals in the space of three minutes put them firmly on course for the semi-finals.
First, Miretti collected Soule’s backheel and drove a low shot into the bottom corner from 20 yards, with Chibozo then stroking home a first-time finish following Mulazzi’s dribble inside from the right.
James Balagizi and Lee Jonas were introduced from the bench as Bridge-Wilkinson sought a late route back into the tie and Liverpool continued pushing until the end.
However, the damage had been done and their European campaign concludes at the last-eight stage.
Liverpool U19s: Mrozek (Hewitson, 25), Bradley, Quansah, Koumetio, Beck (Balagizi, 75), Morton, Norris, Corness, Mabaya, Woltman, Cannonier (Jonas, 75).
Unused substitutes: Scanlon, Clark, McConnell, Pilling.