The Liverpool under-23s had been disappointingly held to a 1-1 draw by their Merseyside rivals Everton on Monday evening, regardless of dominating for the whole 90 minutes.
Everton U23s 1-1 Liverpool U23s
Premier League 2, Haig Avenue
January 18, 2021
Objectives: Hughes 4′; Morton 35′
After a month-long break, the younger Reds had been again into motion with considered one of their largest video games of the season, with Southport’s Haig Avenue internet hosting a Merseyside derby that noticed Barry Lewtas make 5 adjustments from December’s 4-3 loss to Tottenham.
In got here Marcelo Pitaluga, Billy Koumetio, Tony Gallacher, Luis Longstaff and Fidel O’Rourke, whereas Elijah Dixon-Bonner and Morgan Boyes had been again on the bench after long-term damage and a mortgage spell at Fleetwood respectively.
Liverpool couldn’t have gotten off to a worse begin, although, as Everton midfielder Rhys Hughes produced a well-placed end alongside the bottom and into the underside nook by a sea of our bodies to go away Pitaluga stranded.
Lewtas’ facet grew into the sport, nonetheless, impressed by Leighton Clarkson, and had been virtually degree as O’Rourke capitalised on a slack backpass however, as he was winding as much as hammer into an empty web, the 18-year-old was thwarted by two Everton defenders on the road.
A deserved equaliser got here by way of a chic end from one other 18-year-old, midfielder Tyler Morton, who picked up Van den Berg’s blocked shot and light it into the highest nook along with his proper for 1-1.
HT: Everton U23s 1-1 Liverpool U23s
Liverpool stayed on high after the break, and virtually went forward inside 5 minutes as, after one other Van den Berg effort was blocked, Koumetio was denied at point-blank vary.
At any time when Everton tried to construct, they had been met by a frenetic urgent recreation from the younger Reds, with O’Rourke and Jack Bearne explicit busy, whereas each time the ball got here close to Pitaluga’s field there was a much-improved Van den Berg, who defended immaculately.
On got here Layton Stewart with 25 minutes to play, changing the tireless O’Rourke whose efforts up entrance seemingly would have cemented himself as Man of the Match had been they complemented by a aim.
Everton had been lowered to 10 males late on following a stunning problem from Katia Kouyate on the returning Dixon-Bonner, giving the younger Reds the impetus to push on for a late, late winner within the derby.
Dixon-Bonner went closest himself with the final kick of the sport, however his low shot trickled previous the submit and the ultimate whistle blew for a draw that may depart Liverpool annoyed.
TIA Man of the Match: Sepp van den Berg
Liverpool U23s: Pitaluga; Gallacher, Van den Berg, Koumetio, Clayton; Clarkson, Cain, Morton; Bearne (Dixon-Bonner 71′), Longstaff, O’Rourke (Stewart 65′)
Subs not used: Jaros, Boyes, Savage
Subsequent Match: Derby (H) – Premier League 2 – Saturday, January 23, 1pm (GMT)