AcademyU21s match report: Liverpool beaten by Aston Villa in Premier League 2

The Reds fell to defeat following a first-half goal from Omari Kellyman and Kobei Moore’s penalty after the break at the Academy.

Villa started the contest on the front foot and Calum Scanlon had to intervene early on to block a dangerous attack at pace.

It was the visitors who took the lead in only the eighth minute as their early pressure told, with Moore stealing the ball high up the pitch to release Kellyman, who darted through to score.

Liverpool responded as James McConnell’s ball into Lewis Koumas almost found the attacker in on goal, though his efforts were thwarted by onrushing goalkeeper James Wright.

At the other end, Fabian Mrozek produced a wonderful quickfire double save to keep the score to just one, first denying Kellyman’s curling effort, before reacting immediately to keep out Jamal Aloba at close range.

Kaide Gordon also fired a shot inches wide of the mark, while Tommy Pilling went close to levelling the contest ahead of Mrozek again saving, this time from Travis Patterson.

As the game continued into the second period, so did the Reds’ attempts to level, with Wright again producing a brilliant stop from Kieran Morrison after a well-timed run and shot through the middle.

With a little more than 20 minutes remaining, however, the result was secured for Villa, after they were awarded a penalty following a Terence Miles trip in the area.

Moore duly converted from 12 yards and that proved enough to halt a three-match winning run for Barry Lewtas’ Liverpool side.

TEAM

Liverpool U21s: Mrozek, Miles, Scanlon (Davidson, 57), Williams (Pinnington, 71), Nallo, McConnell (Kone-Doherty, 46), Gordon, Pilling, Musialowski, Nyoni, Koumas (Morrison, 46).

Unused sub: O. Kelly.

NEXT UP

The Reds next travel to Reading in Premier League 2 next Sunday afternoon (March 10), with kick-off set for 1pm GMT.