Premier League 2
Liverpool U21 2 (Figueroa 74’, Morrison pen 90’)
Leeds United U21 1 (Wilson pen 11’)
Liverpool: Pécsi (GK), Ramsay (Davidson 66’), Pinnington, Nallo (C), Ewing, Nyoni, Morrison, Pilling, Wright (Figueroa 59’), Laffey (Kelly 59’), Ngumoha (Bradshaw 46’). Subs not used: Misciur (GK).
Leeds: Ombang (GK), Lane (Mills 79’), Bird (Firth 66’), Whitehead, Howson, Enahoro-Marcus, Chambers, Pickles, Wilson, Chadwick (C), McDonald. Subs not used: Cook (GK), Howard, Njinko.
Venue: LFC Academy
Referee: Dean Watson
Booked: Ramsay, Ewing (Liverpool) Bird (Leeds)
Leeds United Under-21s fell to a cruel Premier League 2 defeat against Liverpool Under-21s, losing with the final touch of the game as the hosts snatched all three points.
The Whites had taken the lead through Marley Wilson and put in an spirited display, with many players having featured in four matches in nine days, but it wasn’t to be as the Reds stole the spoils from the penalty spot.
Ahead of the encounter on Merseyside, Scott Gardner made four changes to the team that were defeated on European duties by Anderlecht, handing starts to Sam Chambers, Rhys Chadwick, Coban Bird and Jonny Howson.
In the opening stages, a chance presented itself to Reds’ striker Will Wright. Atoning for an earlier error in possession, goalkeeper Darryl Ombang made amends in fine fashion as he saved brilliantly to his left.
Kieran Morrison was next to go close for the home team, curling a powerful strike beyond the upright from distance as the Whites were forced to defend early on.
After soaking up the early pressure, Leeds launched an attack of their own which resulted in Josh McDonald finding the feet of Wilson inside the area. Shaping to shoot, the forward was instead bundled to the floor leaving Dean Watson with no other option than to point to the spot!
The striker himself got to his feet and composed himself before drilling the penalty kick beyond Ármin Pécsi and into the bottom corner.
Keen to extend their lead, United skipper Rhys Chadwick then found the run of Louis Enahoro-Marcus at the back post but, against his former club, the towering defender was unable to trouble Liverpool’s stopper.
Gardner’s side still had to be wary of the threat the Reds offered, however, and Morrison went close to levelling proceedings with a low strike that skidded wide.
Ombang had to use the full extent of his frame approaching the half-hour mark to deny the highly rated Rio Ngumoha, spectacularly tipping a long-distance effort over the crossbar. The keeper again impressed moments later, parrying a rasping Morrison drive.
The remainder of the opening period followed suit with Liverpool becoming increasingly frustrated by a stubborn, resolute Leeds backline until Watson brought the first half to a close.
HALF TIME: Liverpool U21 0-1 Leeds United U21
The Whites emerged from the interval unchanged and had to show their defensive attributes early on. Ollie Pickles did well to block a fizzing Michael Laffey shot from the edge of the area after Wright had spearheaded a swift break.
Beginning to grow in their share of possession, United drove forward through McDonald who in turn worked the ball wide to Chambers. The Scotland youth international’s cross deflected the way of Chadwick at the back post who saw a first-time strike charged down by a red shirt.
Chambers’ influence in particular was starting to shine and, darting into the middle from the right flank, the attacking midfielder’s cut-back proved slightly too heavy for Chadwick as the hosts cleared the danger.
Having settled in well on his return to the side following a spell on the sidelines through injury, Bird then made way for Will Firth in a first change of the afternoon from Gardner.
With just under 20 minutes of normal time remaining, Ombang once more made a superb intervention to save Trey Nyoni’s close-range strike after the Liverpool midfielder worked a yard of space inside the box.
There was nothing the stopper could do to prevent substitute Keyrol Figueroa from levelling though, who bundled into the corner from a few yards out.
Immediately down the other end and, intent on retaking the lead, Chambers broke with pace and crossed into the middle. Wilson would have had a tap in only for the retreating Carter Pinnington to hack away a split-second prior.
A second alteration from the dugout introduced Callum Mills into the action, replacing the hard-working Lane in a slight change to the system.
Pinnington again made a crucial clearance for Liverpool, once more as Chambers flashed an enticing delivery across the face of goal, before Mills stung the palms of Pécsi from distance.
Both sides were throwing everything forward in search of a winner and Ombang’s thoroughly impressive afternoon continued into stoppage time, showing remarkable reflexes to claw Figueroa’s effort off the line.
But, in cruel fashion, the hosts weren’t to be denied as Morrison controversially won it from the spot with the final touch of the game.
United are back in PL2 action next weekend as they welcome Arsenal to the LNER Community Stadium.
FULL TIME: Liverpool U21 2-1 Leeds United U21
