AcademyU21s match report: Tyler Morton goal gives Liverpool PL2 win at Man Utd

The midfielder decided the affair at Leigh Sports Village with a composed finish midway through the second half.

Reds goalkeeper Kornel Misciur put his side in position to claim the three points with a number of excellent saves throughout.

The best opportunity of a cagey first half fell to United in the final minute when former Liverpool player Ethan Ennis was denied from close range by the outstretched Misciur. Ethan Wheatley was off-target with the rebound under a challenge from Carter Pinnington.

Misciur had made relatively comfortable saves to prevent Ennis and then Jack Fletcher earlier on.

The visitors, who lost Tommy Pilling early on due to injury, nearly found a breakthrough with Tom Hill, but Tyler Fredricson intervened just before the attacker could get a shot away from inside the box.

Misciur was at it again after the break, keeping out fierce strikes from Dan Gore, Habeeb Ogunneye, Ethan Williams and Toby Collyer.

Liverpool tested Dermot Mee in the United net for the first time on the hour mark, Terence Miles driving forward from his right-back spot and unleashing a hit that would have found the bottom corner.

It was a sign Barry Lewtas' team were growing as a threat going forward, and they went on to take the lead with 67 minutes on the clock.

Morton intercepted Mee's pass out from the back, saw his initial shot saved, but then picked up the rebound to beat the stopper with a follow-up effort.

Misciur pulled off a final save entering the last 10 to frustrate Ennis again and secure a deserved clean sheet.

Team

Misciur, Miles, Jonas (Nallo, 80), Pinnington, Norris, Corness, Morton, Nyoni (Davidson, 80), Hill, Cannonier (Young, 46), Pilling (Morrison, 13).

Unused sub: R. Trueman.

Next up

The U21s return from the international break with the Merseyside derby against Everton on Saturday October 26.

Kick-off at the Kirkby Academy is scheduled for 2pm BST.