Trent Alexander-Arnold was present as Liverpool under-18s fell to a 4-3 loss to Man City on Saturday, despite leading 3-1 until the 68th minute.
Liverpool U18 3-4 Man City U18
U18 Premier League, KirkbySeptember 17, 2022
Goals: Koumas 32′, Kone-Doherty 38′; Ndala 24′, Oboavwoduo 68′, Heskey 76′, Whittingham 81′
There was a new face in the Marc Bridge-Wilkinson starting line-up, with Northern Ireland youth international Kieran Morrison making his Liverpool U18 debut.
City had the best of the opening stages and opened the scoring in the 24th minute when winger Ashton Muir set up Joel Ndala to give the away team the lead.
Traffic was one-way for much of the first half hour, until the Reds tied against the grain of the game. Francis Gyimah delivered an attractive cross, and Lewis Koumas’ early effort was well saved, before he scored the rebound.
Six minutes later, Liverpool was ahead. Koumas did well to knock down a clearance attempt by City goalkeeper George Murray-Jones, and Trent Kone-Doherty was on guard to volley home.
Halftime: Liverpool U18 2-1 Man City U18
Less than three minutes into the second half, Koumas had his second of the day and eighth of the season. Ben Doak, still looking too good for this level, created the opportunity with a brilliant run down the right, before Koumas shoved him in with a low cross.
Both Kone-Doherty and Doak were eliminated with about 25 minutes remaining, and it was after their retirement that the young Reds began to struggle.
Justin Oboavwoduo, 16, pulled one back in the 68th minute, before Emile’s son Jaden Heskey scored the equalizer.
The Bridge-Wilkinson side simply couldn’t cope with City’s attacking prowess for much of the second half, and the away team completed the change when Matthew Whittingham put them ahead with a touch at the far post.
Deep in stoppage time, Koumas had a chance to score his hat-trick and save a point for the Reds, but his header went wide.
A disappointing result, especially given the 3-1 lead, but more promising individual performances, especially in attack.
Liverpool Under-18: Mrozek; Miles, Hayes-Green, Pinnington; Osborne, McConnell, Morrison, Gyimah (Giblin 82′); Doak (Danns 66′), Kone-Doherty (Roberts 66′), Koumas
Unused Subs: Hewitson, Figueroa
Next game: Nottingham Forest (H) – U18 Premier League – Saturday 1st October, 12pm (BST)
