AcademyU18s match report: Liverpool lose out at Manchester City

Goals in either half from Divine Mukasa and Alfie Harrison (two) gave the home team all three points from an U18 Premier League North clash at the City Football Academy that saw both sides create plenty of scoring chances.

After a switch of venue, several pitch inspections due to the overnight temperatures and a short delay of kick-off, the players got straight into the action when it began.

With just five on the clock, Liverpool needed Wellity Lucky to make a crucial clearance from inside his own area after Ashton Muir got away down the left and crossed low.

Kieran Morrison was denied by the home goalkeeper from a stepover and shot, before Kornel Misciur twice pushed out efforts by Farid Alfa-Ruprecht.

City’s threat was growing, though, and they delivered the game’s first goal on 28 minutes.

Mukasa spread play out to Harrison on the left and continued his run into the centre to receive the return pass and guide a finish past Misciur.

Liverpool’s response was good and they soon created a chance for Trent Kone-Doherty as Francis Gyimah’s cross was flicked into his feet by Jayden Danns.

Kone-Doherty’s initial hit from close range was beaten out by Jack Wint – and the forward sent his rebound over the crossbar.

Morrison was thwarted by a deflection and a goalkeeper save either side of half-time, before Misciur denied Matty Warhurst after a tee-up from the influential Harrison.

Chances were really flowing at this stage and another Morrison attempt – one from distance that was dipping and curling – was touched around the post by Wint.

Alfa-Ruprecht swiped a promising opportunity over the bar when one-on-one, Keyrol Figueroa was close with a thump from 25 yards, Harrison hooked a shot wide and Misciur prevented a Mukasa second.

But, two minutes past the hour mark, City got the vital second goal. Harrison carried the ball along the left edge of the box and towards the near post, from where he threaded a finish underneath Misciur as the ’keeper emerged from his line.

Mukasa went close again with a curling free-kick and the hosts held firm before extending their advantage deep into stoppage time, Harrison netting his second and City’s third.

TEAM

Liverpool U18s: Misciur, Pitt, Gyimah, Lucky, K. Kelly (Onanuga, 78), Laffey, Kone-Doherty (Pennington, 78), Morrison, Danns, B. Trueman (Enahoro-Marcus, 85), Figueroa (Sonni-Lambie, 78).

Unused sub: Morana.