U18s Report: Liverpool vs Leeds United | OneFootball

U18 Premier League North

Liverpool U18 6 (Abe 34’ 50’ 55’, Clarke 47’, Lambie 58’, Cissé 72’)

Leeds United U18 1 (Alker 86’)

Liverpool: Misciur (GK), Esdaille (O’Connor 45’), Wain, Cissé, Clarke, Murray-Holme (Yeguo 62’), Abe (Forrester 62’), Upton (C), Lambie, Farkas, Bradshaw (Ayman 70’). Subs not used: Wright.

Leeds: Cook (GK), Dudley, Thompson (Bridge 70’), Whitehead (Bhaskaran 70’), Hamilton, Matykiewicz (Megson 85’), Morris (C), Alker, Ibrovic-Fletcher, Mills, Njinko (Mensah 55’). Subs not used: Simo.

Referee: Kyle Lord

Venue: LFC Academy

A youthful Leeds United Under-18s side fell to a defeat against Liverpool Under-18s in the U18 Premier League North.

The Whites went into the clash on Merseyside on the back of an impressive 3-2 victory over Derby County away from home but were unable to repeat the same feat this time round, despite Sam Alker finding the net for Rob Etherington’s side.

Whilst the scoreline reflected otherwise, Leeds impressed early on forced and Liverpool’s goalkeeper Kornel Misciur into action on multiple occasions in the first half.

However, they could not break through and ultimately found themselves a goal down at the break when Joshua Abe got on the end of a long ball and rounded goalkeeper Robbie Cook to give the Reds the lead.

The visitors reacted well and continued to threaten as they searched for the equaliser but the hosts’ defence stood firm until referee Kyle Lord brought the opening period to a close.

HALF TIME: Liverpool U18 1-0 Leeds United U18

Unlike the first half, the second saw the home team dominate, scoring four goals within 15 minutes of the restart. Lucas Clarke got the Reds’ second after 47 minutes, shooting into the top left corner from the centre of the penalty area.

And moments later, any hope of a comeback was extinguished as Abe grabbed his second, evading two challenges and finding the back of the net from the right.

The Liverpool number seven then completed his hat-trick five-minutes later when the ball fortuitously fell to him eight yards from goal, allowing the forward to bundle home.

The Merseyside outfit extended their lead just before the hour mark as Joshua Lambie capitalised on a loose ball inside the Leeds penalty area and beat Cook from close range.

In what was a challenging second period, the Australian goalkeeper prevented the deficit increasing, getting down well to his left to save a Liverpool spot-kick shortly afterwards.

The opposition then got their sixth with just under 20 minutes of normal time remaining. Prince Cissé this time found the back of the net.

Leeds finally got on the scoresheet when Alker picked up the ball and drilled excellently into the bottom corner beyond Misciur in what was a deserved consolation for the Whites.

Etherington’s side are back in action next weekend as they welcome Stoke City to Thorp Arch, looking to bounce back from defeat in Liverpool.

FULL TIME: Liverpool U18 6-1 Leeds United U18