AcademyU21s match report: Manchester City 3-1 Liverpool

Mateusz Musialowski quickly brought the young Reds back on level terms after Oscar Bobb had put the hosts ahead early on at the Academy Stadium.

But a double from Carlos Borges settled the Premier League 2 contest in City’s favour.

An encouraging start to the game from Barry Lewtas’ side featured a Musialowski snap-shot from the edge of the penalty area that cleared the crossbar following a sharp sequence of passing in the inside-right channel.

But, somewhat against the run of play, City took the lead around the quarter-hour mark.

Borges’ shot was parried by Harvey Davies and Bobb, who had started the attack with a driving dribble from deep, was on hand to slot in the rebound.

Liverpool were unperturbed by that setback, however, and produced a near-immediate response.

Luca Stephenson broke forward and produced an accurate cross from the right, which Musialowski met with a near-post dart and fine glancing header into the far corner.

The young Reds were in the ascendancy but a four-minute spell in the late stages of the first half would prove pivotal to the direction of the match.

Two chances came and went for the visitors, with Max Woltman unable to make a telling connection on Lee Jonas’ inviting low delivery before Melkamu Frauendorf’s low strike was saved by the feet of City goalkeeper Mikki van Sas, prior to City scoring again.

Adedire Mebude found Borges with a ball in from the right flank and the forward’s subsequent effort crashed in off the underside of the bar.

The hosts emerged strongly after the interval and Davies was forced to make an excellent stop with his legs to thwart Alex Robertson amid a goalmouth scramble.

Davies’ goal continued to come under pressure and Mebude dragged a shot wide before City sealed their victory with 20 minutes left.

Mebude again fed Borges and he then sent a low hit beyond Davies.

Liverpool U21s: Davies, Jonas, Olufunwa, Koumetio, Scanlon, Corness, Stephenson, Clark, Frauendorf, Musialowski (Pilling, 87), Woltman (Miles, 87).

Unused subs: Hughes, Spearing.