Match reportLFC U21s beaten by Monaco in Premier League International Cup opener
A young Liverpool U21s team were beaten 2-1 by AS Monaco in their opening Premier League International Cup fixture on Wednesday night.
A goal either side of half-time in the Group C contest was enough for the visitors to secure victory at the Academy, despite a late goal from substitute Jayden Danns, alongside a penalty save from Vitezslav Jaros.
The game began without major incident though it was Monaco who threatened first as Lucas Michal flashed a dangerous ball across the face of goal.
Liverpool responded as Mateusz Musialowski shot wide with a drilled effort, before Bobby Clark’s free-kick was glanced past the far post by Tommy Pilling.
Jaros was then forced into his first action of the night a short while later, saving from Mamadou Coulibaly and Enzo Baglieri in quick succession.
The Reds stopper was again in the right place at the right time shortly after to halt Ritchy Valme’s header from a Saimon Bouabre set-piece.
As half-time loomed, the score looked to remain level heading into the interval, but the visitors broke at pace to open the scoring as the clock ticked into added time.
Bouabre’s ball forward was met by the onrushing Michal with the winger darting into the area to shoot low into the far corner of the net.
PHOTOS
By Nick Taylor
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Following the change of ends, Monaco added to their advantage and gave themselves a cushion against the early run of play, with Michal turning provider to allow Baglieri to sweep home after the former raced down the left and into the box.
Liverpool attempted to fight back, with Lewis Koumas forcing a save and Danns seeing a good opportunity fall the wrong side of the post after the Reds stole the ball high up the pitch.
Musialowski also threatened from distance with a drilled effort, before Barry Lewtas’ side eventually reduced the deficit inside the final 10 minutes.
Danns saw an initial shot saved inside the area, with Clark’s follow-up rebounding onto the bar via retreating legs, leaving the ball to drop to the striker to tap into the empty net alone.
The hosts pushed on in search of a leveller though it was Monaco who went closest deep in added time, winning a penalty through substitute Bechir Yacoub, with Lucas Pitt receiving a second yellow card.
Jaros, however, ensured defeat would only be by one, diving low to his left to keep out the effort from 12 yards in what was the last action of the match.
TEAM
Liverpool U21s: Jaros, Pitt, Davidson, Miles, Nallo, McConnell, Kone-Doherty (Danns, 62), Pilling (Nyoni, 89), Musialowski, Clark, Koumas (Glatzel, 77).
Unused subs: Hill, Kelly, Pinnington, Spearing.
NEXT UP
The Reds return to action on Sunday afternoon (October 1) by travelling to Crystal Palace in Premier League 2. Kick-off is set for 2pm BST.
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