AcademyU21s match report: Liverpool held to home draw with Leeds in PL2

An equaliser from James McConnell late in the first half was the catalyst for a second-half onslaught from the young Reds, who will wonder how they did not take all three points after a succession of chances at the Kirkby Academy.

Kieran Morrison and Trent Kone-Doherty were at the heart of a second period of real intent and intensity, but a combination of some good goalkeeping and slightly wasteful finishing saw the visitors’ goal lead a charmed life.

Both Morrison and Kone-Doherty were denied at the last on several occasions, while a McConnell effort was somehow deflected wide of the post deep into injury time to leave the home side frustrated.

It means Barry Lewtas’ team will have to wait until after their final league game, against Aston Villa on Friday, to learn if they have claimed a place in the end-of-season play-offs, unless other results go their way in midweek.

Sunday’s first half offered little sign of the Liverpool domination to come as the sides fought out a good contest but with goalmouth action in relative short supply.

The first threat came from the Reds with McConnell making a good run before crossing for Morrison – playing as a false nine – but his shot was deflected over.

The visitors offered warning that they would be a danger from set-pieces as early as the eighth minute, when they should have gone in front.

A deep corner to the back post was headed goalwards and was going in until Diogo Monteiro decided to make sure with a finishing touch from an offside position, the flag offering a lucky escape for the hosts.

Kone-Doherty put in a sharp cross for Morrison to steer another effort on goal but this time it was too close to Rory Mahady in the Leeds net.

Trey Nyoni then pinched a ball high in the opposition half to set up Kone-Doherty, whose low strike was just kept out by Mahady.

Leeds went ahead on the half-hour mark. Liverpool again proved vulnerable to a deep corner and the cross from Rhys Chadwick was headed home by Kris Moore at the back post.

Nyoni went close for Liverpool after exchanging passes with Rio Ngumoha, but it was not until the last kick of the half that the Reds found a leveller.

A cross from Ngumoha eventually fell to McConnell, who controlled well before sliding the ball into the back of the net.

McConnell headed wide early in the second half and Morrison hit the post with a left-footed effort, before Kone-Doherty was denied by the advancing body of Mahady.

It seemed goals must come for the Reds as chances came and went with regularity.

Carter Pinnington played a fine ball to Morrison to create another opportunity for Kone-Doherty, this time denied by the goalkeeper’s fingertips.

There was, though, a warning at the other end with 20 minutes left as Harvey Davies needed to make a brilliant save from Connor Douglas, throwing himself in front of the shot, after captain Amara Nallo had been harried out of possession.

Previous service was swiftly resumed and substitute Ranel Young was provided with a great chance by a cutback from Kone-Doherty, but again the target was missed.

Good pressing from McConnell allowed Young to return the favour to Kone-Doherty, though ’keeper Mahady thwarted him once more.

James Balagizi arrived from the bench to offer a perfect set-up for Morrison and his low attempt somehow went the wrong side of the far post by a matter of inches.

McConnell had the final chance to win it in added time but his effort from close range was deflected wide, meaning Lewtas’ charges had to settle for a point when they deserved far more.

Team

Liverpool: Davies, Davidson, Pilling, Pinnington, Nallo, Morton (Young, 62), Kone-Doherty, McConnell, Morrison, Nyoni, Ngumoha (Balagizi, 82).

Unused subs: Misciur, Figueroa, Laffey.

Goal: McConnell (45+1).

Next up

The U21s are back in action on Friday evening (April 18) in Premier League 2. They travel to face Villa in a 7pm BST kick-off at Bodymoor Heath.