With an injury-ravaged first-team pinching a number of common starters at under-18 degree, a younger Reds aspect exited the FA Youth Cup by the hands of Leeds within the quarter-final.
Leeds U18s 3-1 Liverpool U18s
FA Youth Cup Quarter-Ultimate, Elland Street
February 29, 2024
Objectives: Chadwick 35′, 70′, Lane 53′; Kone-Doherty 89′
It has been fairly the week for Liverpool’s academy, with one inspiring story after one other, injecting a feel-good issue all through all the membership.
And that may have reverberated right down to the U18s, who may have watched their mates realise their goals the earlier evening at Anfield.
With Jurgen Klopp nonetheless counting on a variety of the membership’s kids within the first-team, Marc Bridge-Wilkinson was with out the likes of Jayden Danns, Lewis Koumas, Trey Nyoni and Amara Nallo at Leeds.
The younger Reds had a promising begin however did see a transparent handball shout waved away by the referee in Leeds‘ penalty space, whereas Trent Kone-Doherty was crowded off the ball on his spectacular one-man drive.
However an unlucky mistake in his field from captain Josh Davidson led to Leeds opening the scoring, together with his determined try and make up for the error on the goal-line developing agonisingly brief.
Half time: Leeds U18s 1-0 Liverpool U18s
Liverpool had been clearly lacking a focus up prime and struggled to maintain any assaults on Rory Mahady in Leeds‘ purpose, however the hosts had no such downside on the different finish.
Simply eight minutes into the second half, Leeds established a two-goal buffer with a free header on the again submit, with the Reds’ defence not shifting over in time to intervene.
The link-up play between DJ Esdaille and Kieran Morrison on Liverpool’s proper confirmed loads of promise, their bursts of acceleration giving Leeds one thing to consider.
The younger Reds, who had been watched by Steve McManaman on the bench, confirmed loads of battle all through, although, and Kone-Doherty’s well-timed end within the 89th minute bought them on the scoreboard, albeit too late.
Leeds had already prolonged their benefit to a few, and thus a late rally was not sufficient to e book a spot within the semi-final in opposition to Millwall.
TIA Man of the Match: Kieran Morrison
Liverpool: Misciur; Esdaille (Gyimah 63′), Pitt, Pinnington, Davidson; Kelly (Onanuga 46′), Laffey, Pennington; Kone-Doherty, Morrison, Ahmed (Younger 73′)
Subs not used: Corridor, Enahoro-Marcus, Sonni-Lambie, Bradshaw
Subsequent Match: Middlesbrough (A) – U18 Premier League – Saturday, March 9, 1pm (GMT)
