Youth Team/Cup

[aws]

This could be the day the balance of power shifts for ever on Merseyside.

[YNWAViking]

Shit sub by Gerrard taking Tagseth off after 1st half. He was one of just a couple players that actually made something happen in the 1st half.

[John101]

Are we drawing the second half?

[BCM]

Shit sub by Gerrard taking Tagseth off after 1st half. He was one of just a couple players that actually made something happen in the 1st half.

 

This is the 1st time ive watched the youth side in a couple of years so dont know much about these lads but i thought the same.

[Allan]

Full time - Everton 3 Liverpool 1

 

Dominated the second half but couldn't find a way through.

[Allan]

Offal Report

 

Liverpool U18s were beaten 3-1 by Everton in their mini-derby on Saturday morning.

 

Despite creating a host of chances, the young Reds conceded too much ground in the first half as goals from Elliot Richards, Tom Scully and Manasse Mampala earned the Blues a commanding lead that only a stoppage-time effort by Glen McAuley could dent.

 

Steven Gerrard’s team were dominant throughout the second period but could not strike again and were on the wrong end of a scoreline that did not tell the full story of an absorbing game.

 

“We gave ourselves a tough task with the goals we gave away in the first half. We came out a bit better in the second half and had a lot of possession but just couldn’t score,” said assistant manager Tom Culshaw.

 

“You’ve got to score with the possession, and you also can’t give silly goals away – especially in derby games like this against Everton and teams who are up for the battle.”

 

Strengthened by the returns of the likes of Curtis Jones and Adam Lewis to the line-up, Liverpool sought a response to three successive defeats in all competitions.

 

That ambition was dealt a blow with just four minutes on the clock, though.

 

Despite the visitors’ bright start amid pouring rain at Finch Farm, an Everton corner from the left found Richards with enough space inside the box to direct a header past the touch of Kamil Grabara.

 

The young Reds shook off the setback and set about imposing their authority on the game, with only a crucial clearance denying McAuley a tap-in from Lewis’ excellent low cross on the quarter-hour.

 

Jones was an influential figure from his central role and went close to an equaliser twice in as many minutes at the midway point of the half.

 

First, an effort from the edge of the area took a significant deflection and looped narrowly wide of the left post, and then the 17-year-old dragged a shot across goal from the right channel.

 

But Liverpool’s deficit was doubled on 26 minutes. Scully tried his luck with a drive from around 25 yards and when Grabara fumbled the ball, it dropped into the bottom corner.

 

Gerrard’s charges were thwarted twice soon after as Jones’ side-footer was blocked en route to goal by Richards and McAuley’s rebound hit on the turn met the strong palms of Nicolas Defreitas-Hansen.

 

Their frustration was compounded when the Blues bagged a third. Mampala ran off his marker to collect a pass from the left flank and clinically dispatched an angled finish beyond the goalkeeper.

 

McAuley, who had earlier flicked a header wide from a promising position, next fired over from the middle of the box after more industrious work by Jones.

 

But the No.9 did net before the break. The outstanding Liam Millar’s latest weaving run along the byline opened up an opportunity to square for his teammate to convert and hand Liverpool a lifeline.

 

The Republic of Ireland youth international threatened again six minutes into the second half, controlling Lewis’ knock on his chest and sending a crisp attempt too close to Defreitas-Hansen.

 

Millar then drew a smart stop from the Everton goalkeeper at his near post, having neatly stepped inside the full-back, as the away side mounted increasing pressure on their hosts.

 

The same player skewed his shot too high when Rhys Williams intelligently nodded a back-post corner across the area, while McAuley miscued a fine chance upon being teed up by Lewis.

 

Late on, Defreitas-Hansen had to stretch to paw away Lewis’ swerving free-kick aimed at the left corner from the right angle of the box – and, somehow, it remained 3-1.

 

Liverpool U18s: Grabara, N. Williams, Lewis, R. Williams, Boyes, Dixon-Bonner (Larouci, 76), Millar, Tagseth (Brookwell, 46), McAuley, Jones, Camacho (Clarkson, 61).

 

Unused substitutes: Clayton, Atherton.

[Allan]

Harry Wilson has bagged his first goal for Hull in their game at Forest today.

[Allan]

A very young 23s side lost 1-0 away at Bristol City this evening in their penultimate Premier League Cup group game.

 

Offal Report

 

Liverpool U23s' pursuit of qualification for the Premier League Cup knockout stages will go down to the final group game after they suffered a 1-0 defeat at Bristol City.

 

The young Reds topped Group G on goal difference ahead of the trip to Ashton Gate but dropped down to second as a result of their reversal.

 

The hosts’ win guaranteed their place in the last 16, with the runners-up spot to be decided when Neil Critchley’s side and Stoke City – currently level on seven points – meet on February 26.

 

It was a youthful Liverpool line-up as the likes of Rafael Camacho, Tom Clayton, Elijah Dixon-Bonner, Curtis Jones and Adam Lewis stepped up from U18 level.

 

A fortuitous deflection helped City bag the only goal of the game on the half-hour.

 

Opi Edwards was the beneficiary as his free-kick struck the Reds’ wall and found the net with the diving Caoimhin Kelleher helpless.

 

Toni Gomes went closest to a response for the visitors with a quarter of an hour remaining, but his header from Camacho’s delivery drifted over the crossbar.

 

So progress now hinges on the last fixture in the group for Critchley’s charges, who must avoid defeat when they journey to Stoke later this month.

 

Reflecting on the game, Critchley told Liverpoolfc.com: "We had a young side out and it was a good experience for them to play at a first-team stadium.

 

"On the whole, we did well. We had a lot of possession but didn’t turn that into meaningful chances and didn’t work their goalkeeper enough.

 

"There were lots of positives to take from the performance, pleasing in some ways but disappointing not to get something out of the game.

 

"They scored from a deflected free-kick from outside the box which was hard to take.

 

"We have one game left in the group and I think we will have to win it to qualify against Stoke City, so we look forward to that."

 

Liverpool U23s: Kelleher, Masterson, Lewis, Clayton, Gallacher, Dixon-Bonner (Tagseth, 89), Camacho, Kane, Gomes, Jones, Dhanda.

 

Unused substitutes: Millar, George, N. Williams, R. Williams.

[sir roger]

Watching the Celtic match last night & it advertised the Euro game with Man United is live on BT Sports next Wednesday 3pm kick off.

[Allan]

23s lost 1-0 for the 3rd successive game. Beaten by an early goal at home to West Ham this afternoon.

 

Offal Report

 

Liverpool U23s suffered a blow to their Premier League 2 title ambitions as they were beaten 1-0 by West Ham United at the Academy.

 

An early goal from Josh Pask proved enough for the Londoners to claim all three points from Neil Critchley’s table-topping team in Kirkby.

 

Once again, it was a youthful Reds XI featuring a number of U18s graduates and including a debut start at this level for right-back Neco Williams.

 

The home side fell behind in the third minute.

 

A free-kick from the left channel found Pask at the back post and though the Hammers defender’s initial header was blocked by Elijah Dixon-Bonner, it bounced kindly back to him to thrash into the far corner.

 

It was a confident start by the visitors and Liverpool needed time to assert themselves against a team happy to make the contest a particularly physical one.

 

Liam Millar had a glimpse of goal on 20 minutes after Dixon-Bonner won possession cleanly in the West Ham half and prodded a pass to the Canadian youth international at the edge of the box.

 

His attempted curler was well saved by Nathan Trott, though – and the offside flag had been raised in any case.

 

West Ham might have doubled their lead within seconds but Oladapo Afolayan sliced wide of the right post having moved onto a pull-back inside the area.

 

Opportunities were few and far between for Liverpool and, in fact, they were grateful of poor finishing on the part of their opponents before the half-time interval.

 

Vashon Neufville had a strong drive tipped over by Caoimhin Kelleher following nimble hold-up play by Grady Diangana, while Jahmal Hector-Ingram swept over the crossbar when perfectly placed from close range.

 

The Reds could have restored parity two minutes after the restart.

 

Tony Gallacher’s cross was flicked on by Millar and Herbie Kane bravely stooped to get his head on the ball yards from goal – only for a combination of the goalkeeper and Neufville to block.

 

Critchley’s charges were much improved in the second period, though the squandering of two promising chances ultimately cost them.

 

When Curtis Jones scampered into rare space and lofted a cross into the middle on 68 minutes, the waiting Millar could only nod an effort into the hands of the ‘keeper.

 

And unmarked centre-back Conor Masterson later headed wide from inside the West Ham area, meaning nothing to show for Liverpool’s efforts on the afternoon.

 

Liverpool U23s: Kelleher, N. Williams, Gallacher, Masterson, Johnston, Dixon-Bonner (Adekanye, 63), Lewis (McAuley, 81), Kane, Millar (Camacho, 70), Jones, Dhanda.

 

Unused substitutes: George, Clayton.

[Allan]

The 19s take on the Mancs in the UEFA Youth League this afternoon. Kick off at 15:00 with live coverage on BT Sport 2 from 14:45.

 

Here's how the 19s line up for this afternoon's game.

 

Grabara, Neco Williams, Lewis, Masterson, Johnston, Dixon-Bonner, Kane, Woodburn, Adekanye, Jones, Millar.

 

Subs: Jaros, Rhys Williams, Clayton, Boyes, Larouci, Camacho, McAuley.

[magicrat]

Pity Brewster not fit

[Trumo]

The youth sides at all levels seem to have lost a lot of games recently. I'm wondering if the various teams' rhythm has been affected by having a lot of players either sent out on loan or moved to another level. Having to get on with it despite the lack of a 'pre-season' to bed in, if you like.

[magicrat]

Woodburn scores . Nice goal

[Allan]

Liverpool 1 Man United 0

 

Ben Woodburn with a glancing header from a Neco Williams cross opens the scoring.

[dockers_strike]

Nice to see someone elses keeper be a flapper.

[magicrat]

We look a cut above these Manc kids

[Lee909]

This one or two legs?

[dockers_strike]

Jones should have nailed that one.

[magicrat]

This one or two legs?

 

One I think

[Allan]

This one or two legs?

Just one. Straight knockout competition this round and next.

 

If we get through today, we'll be away to City in the next round. City beat Inter on penalties yesterday.

[magicrat]

See Fellani's love child getting a run out

[Allan]

See Fellani's love child getting a run out

He's caused us problems at this level in previous games that Chong lad. Decent player, though does look really ungainly.

[magicrat]

He's caused us problems at this level in previous games that Chong lad. Decent player, though does look really ungainly.

 

Amazed he can see where he's going tbh

[Allan]

Amazed he can see where he's going tbh

Quite the head of hair the lad has.