Steven Irwin's superb solo goal rescued a point for Liverpool U18s against Wolverhampton at the academy this morning. The midfielder picked the ball up from Daniel Ayala midway into his own half and carried it all the way to the edge of the opposition box where he rifled in an excellent equaliser.
But the performance must once again concern coach Hughie McAuley who has now seen his young Reds side win just once in the last eight Academy League matches played in the new year.
The visitors went in front after 35 minutes from a penalty when one of the Reds defenders was adjudged to have handballed a cross from the left.
Goalkeeper Martin Hansen then made a couple of smart saves and Andras Simon missed a one on one with the Wolves keeper after a nice pass from Astrit Ajdarevic, who had been ill in the run up to the game.
But the Reds got back into the game when Irwin's goal levelled the scores on the hour mark to set up what should have been a frantic finish but wasn't.
Liverpool's players must now take a long, hard look at themselves following a dismal run of results - and not least performances - that has long undone all the good work earlier in the season.
Too many of them now seem to be playing for themselves or for renewed contracts instead of showing their qualities as a team. But team spirit seems to be at a record low as players are openly criticising each other on the pitch during games.
Points have been dropped recently against Bolton, Huddersfield and Stoke, and the lads were also dumped out of the youth cup by Sunderland. Next up at the academy is Barnsley in a fortnight. Nothing less than a win will do and the hype around some of these players must now stop until they start justifying it.
Liverpool U18s: Hansen; Scott, Ayala, Kennedy, Mackay Steven; Pourie, Highdale, Irwin, Eccleston; Ajdarevic (Kacaniklic 70), Simon (Amoo 60)
