Under-18s: Liverpool v United

Manchester United were forced to settle for a point after Liverpool came from two goals down in the U18 Premier League North on Saturday.

Victor Musa scored two headers as Adam Lawrence’s team dominated the first half on Merseyside, but were undone just before the break by Joshua Sonni-Lambie’s strike. 

The young Reds had chances to add to our advantage in the second period but suffered late heartbreak when Tyler Martin scored a deflected equaliser as it finished 2-2. 

It leaves our Under-18s three points behind leaders Manchester City, who were not in action today, in the table but with a game in hand which could prove crucial.

Head coach Lawrence made two changes to the side which suffered an agonising penalty shoot-out defeat in the Premier League Cup at West Ham on Tuesday. Cameron Byrne-Hughes replaced Will Murdock in goal and Dan Armer came into the defence for Jayden Kamason.

The young Reds made a positive start to the game at the Liverpool Academy, applying the high press to make life difficult for the hosts when they attempted to build from their backline.

United took the lead in the 17th minute from a set-piece. Jim Thwaites’s corner to the back post was nodded across the six-yard box by Albert Mills into the path of Victor Musa. Our no.9, who had an earlier goal ruled out for offside, glanced the ball towards goal and his header looped over Liverpool keeper Bailey Hall into the net.

It was another header from Musa which doubled our advantage, as the forward found space inside the penalty area to meet captain Munro’s pinpoint cross from the right.

Lawrence’s side continued to cause problems, particularly from dead-ball situations. Godwill Kukonki was picked out on two separate occasions by Thwaites deliveries – the left-back saw a downward header cleared away and a shot deflected over the crossbar.

At the other end, Liverpool – in front of their legendary former player and manager Kenny Dalglish watching on – created some moments to threaten United on the counter attack.

Joshua Sonni-Lambie, who had seen an earlier low shot deflect narrowly wide, cut inside from the left and rifled home via a slight deflection to reduce the deficit just before the break.

The hosts were much improved at the start of the second half and carved out several chances. United were indebted to Byrne-Hughes, who made important saves to thwart Onanuga on three separate occasions and Joe Bradshaw.

Jacob Devaney made his return to action after injury as a substitute in place of Jayce Fitzgerald, whose last action was to drag a shot wide of the post from the edge of the box.

The young Reds, who gave a debut to James Overy from the bench, regained control and had further opportunities to increase our lead. Thwaites curled a free-kick just outside the box narrowly wide and Kukonki’s powerful close-range header from a corner was tipped over superbly by Hall.

The Liverpool goalkeeper also made two crucial saves from Musa to deny him a hat-trick, and parried a curling drive from sub Shea Lacey behind for a corner.

It was a nervy finale for United as Liverpool pushed for an equaliser, which came in the 89th minute in fortuitous circumstances as Tyler Martin’s deflected strike from a corner found a way past Byrne-Hughes.

WHAT’S NEXT?

Our young Reds return to action on Wednesday (12 February) against Chelsea in the FA Youth Cup fifth round at Leigh Sports Village, with kick-off scheduled for 19:00 GMT.

MATCH DETAILS

United: Byrne-Hughes; Munro (c) (Overy 71), Mills, Armer, Kukonki (Lacey 71); T.Fletcher, Fitzgerald (Devaney 60), Bailey (Plunkett 71); Scanlon, Musa, Thwaites.

Substitutes not used: Murdock.

Goals: Musa 17, 28 | Sonni-Lambie 43, Martin 89

Booked: Bailey 66 | Sonni-Lambie 90+2

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