AcademyU18s match report: Liverpool suffer defeat at Nottingham Forest

Scofield Lonmeni and Oliver O’Connor both saw early efforts saved as the Reds tried to assert themselves in the U18 Premier League North fixture – rearranged from January – at the Nigel Doughty Academy.

The opening exchanges were interrupted by an injury that forced Forest’s Jonathan Whiteley off the field before 10 minutes had elapsed.

After rhythm was regained, the hosts began to mount concerted pressure around the midway point of the half, with Reds goalkeeper Kornel Misciur making saves from Isaac Davies and Alfie Bradshaw.

And Forest capitalised on their spell in the ascendancy by breaking the deadlock on 35 minutes. From a corner kick into the Liverpool area, Jayden Powell was able to swipe in a finish from close range to hand the home team a lead.

Marc Bridge-Wilkinson’s side responded well and Kareem Ahmed was twice foiled by Alastair Graham from strikes outside the box ahead of a half-time interval that arrived with Forest still a goal to the good.

That advantage was extended a little more than 10 minutes into the second half. Fuad Smith was fouled inside the area by Emmanuel Airoboma and stepped up himself to convert the penalty kick.

Forest further increased their cushion to three with 71 on the clock, as Davies successfully dispatched a left-footed strike from long range.

That proved to be just the beginning of an eventful passage that led to two more goals at each end.

Liverpool looked to have regained a partial foothold when Ahmed found the top right corner with his latest attempt from outside the area, but within a minute the home side added their fourth goal of the afternoon as Smith tucked his second into the bottom corner.

Joe Bradshaw came off the bench and provided Bridge-Wilkinson’s charges with another consolation a minute from the end of normal time.

But once again Forest reacted instantaneously – Davies set up Scott Hamilton to complete the scoring with his team’s fifth.

Team

Misciur, Cisse, Ewing (Sonni-Lambie, 61), Airoboma, Pinnington (Owen, 46), Upton (Evers, 61), O’Connor, Lonmeni, Ahmed, Onanuga, Martin (Bradshaw, 71).

Unused sub: Hall.

Goals: Ahmed (76), Bradshaw (89).

Next up

The U18s are back on home turf when they face Leeds United in the league on Saturday (March 1).

Kick-off at the Kirkby Academy is 12pm GMT and the game will be shown live on LFCTV GO.