AcademyU18s match report: Liverpool begin season with 4-2 win over Forest

First-half finishes from Jayden Danns and Lewis Koumas looked to have set the young Reds on course for three points to kick off the U18 Premier League North campaign.

Connor Brown won and converted a penalty shortly before half-time for Forest, though, and a solo run and strike from Jimmy Sinclair then brought them back on terms.

But Brown was later sent off and the hosts capitalised on the numerical advantage as Danns converted an 86th-minute penalty and Trent Kone-Doherty curled home a beauty to claim victory.

Liverpool made an assertive start to the match and their early pressure told with just 11 minutes on the clock.

Koumas’ driving run along the left edge of the Forest area carried him past his marker and an accurate cutback allowed Danns to smartly open up his body and place a fine finish inside the right-hand post.

The visitors almost responded immediately, with Carter Pinnington required to clear away from goal when Brown rounded Nathan Morana and shot.

It was soon a similar story at the other end as Danns pounced on a short backpass. He was tackled in the box but teed up Kieran Morrison, who was blocked by the goalkeeper. Koumas then followed up but his effort was diverted on the line by David Modupe.

Danns was inches away from a second when his header from an excellent Josh Davidson floated cross – after a slick one-two down the right – struck the bar and bounced away.

But the Reds’ advantage was doubled just before the half-hour mark. Kone-Doherty stole the ball from Henry Lister, surged into the area and set it back for Koumas to coolly sweep beyond Keehan Willows.

Moments later, Willows got a crucial touch on a vicious low drive from Kone-Doherty to turn it wide, before Forest halved their deficit six minutes before the break.

Brown got away from Wellity Lucky on the byline and despite the Reds’ protests, the latter was penalised for bringing down the former by the referee. Brown stepped up to take the kick from 12 yards and placed it just beyond the reach of Morana.

PHOTOS

By Andrew Powell

The away side’s momentum continued after the break and Isaac Davies scooped a shot over the bar when a cross from the left fell to him unmarked.

It was brief respite for Liverpool, however. Sinclair darted in from the flank and beat several opponents on his route into the area, before crashing a diagonal strike past Morana for 2-2.

Pinnington had to repeat his close-range block from the first half to prevent the now-buoyant Forest from getting in front, whole Afolami Onanuga struck too close to the goalkeeper having created space.

Forest were reduced to 10 players in minute 74 as Brown was shown a straight red card following a tackle and subsequent altercation with Onanuga.

The Reds set about trying to make the most of their personnel advantage and Kone-Doherty was so close with a low drive from around 14 yards that went past the far post.

But as time ticked away, Koumas was rashly challenged as he stepped into the box by Tony Gbopo and Danns calmly sent the ’keeper the wrong way from the penalty spot.

And Kone-Doherty fully ensured three points on matchday one for Liverpool with a pinpoint curler into the top corner in stoppage time.

TEAM

Liverpool U18s: Morana, Davidson, Gyimah, Lucky, Pinnington, Trueman (Pitt, 81), Koumas, Onanuga (Ahmed, 81), Danns, Morrison, Kone-Doherty.

Unused subs: Misciur, Furnell-Gill, Pennington.

NEXT UP

Marc Bridge-Wilkinson’s side are on the road next weekend, with a trip to Leeds United their second assignment of the new league season.

Kick-off at Thorp Arch training ground is 12pm BST on Saturday August 19.