AcademyYouth League match report: Nallo goal gives Liverpool win over Bologna

An evenly fought contest in Kirkby on Wednesday afternoon passed goalless in the opening 45 minutes, but Ranel Young’s breakthrough for the Reds early in the second half was swiftly equalised by Federico Tonin.

The decisive moment came on 72 minutes, though, with Nallo turning the ball over the line yards out to secure a first victory of the league phase for Barry Lewtas’ team.

The visitors made the more assertive start but Liverpool were close to a sensational opener with just six minutes on the clock.

Rio Ngumoha skipped past two opponents on the left and let fly with an ambitious effort from the side of the area that dipped dangerously and had the goalkeeper beaten but bounced away off the crossbar.

Bologna mounted some pressure with a series of corner kicks but again it was the Reds carving out the real chances on goal.

On 10 minutes, DJ Esdaille guided an ideal pass to Trent Kone-Doherty with space to the right of the target, but he got too much power on the strike and sent it high.

Kone-Doherty got another opportunity soon after, with Liverpool producing a flowing, fast switch from left to right that allowed him to bound into the box.

The No.7 tried a low prod at goal that was central enough for Bologna ’keeper Massimo Pessina to save, though he needed a teammate to complete the clearance when he spilled it.

The Italian outfit launched a threatening counter just prior to the half-hour and Tommaso Ebone was one-on-one with Reds captain Nallo as he attacked the area. Ebone went down but raised an apologetic hand as the referee booked him for simulation.

Bologna’s striker was much closer with a later looping header from a left-wing cross that needed an excellent Kornel Misciur save, diving high to his left.

Within a minute, Liverpool sprung a breakaway that saw Young thread a pass through for Kone-Doherty to scamper away and go up against Pessina. His side-footed finish was well stopped again.

The away team made a positive start to the second half, too, and Misciur shepherded out a tricky low ball into the box from Lorenzo Menegazzo that Ebone failed to reach.

And the Reds opened the scoring in minute 51. Kone-Doherty and Young coordinated an effective press in the penalty box and after the latter had taken possession off Petar Markovic, he swept it into the net from close range.

Tonin was denied by Misciur at one end and – following another counter-attack – Kone-Doherty saw two strikes thwarted by Pessina at the other, before Bologna equalised.

Jan Labedzki made good headway in Liverpool territory and play was moved via Menegazzo and on to Tonin. From right of goal, he produced a firm finish past Misciur.

There were big chances for each side before Nallo’s winner.

From a pinpoint Josh Davidson cross to the far left post, Carter Pinnington controlled the ball unmarked – though his attempt to lift a shot across the ’keeper was saved by Pessina.

Moments afterwards, Bologna got through, with Tommaso Ravaglioli’s reverse pass sending Menegazzo into the left side of the area. He clipped over the onrushing Misciur but directed his effort outside the far post.

And Nallo had the final say instead. Another great right-to-left delivery from Davidson – this one via a set-piece – teed up Pinnington at the back stick. His downward header was pushed out by Pessina as the referee dismissed Bologna claims for a foul, and the Liverpool skipper forced in the loose ball.

Lewtas’ charges had to make a succession of blocks as more than six minutes of added time were played, but they held firm to take all three points.

Team

Misciur, Esdaille, Pinnington, Lucky, Nallo, Davidson, Kone-Doherty, Laffey, Young (Figueroa, 79), Morrison (Pitt, 90+3), Ngumoha (Ahmed, 76).

Unused subs: O’Connor, Hall, Bradshaw, Bernard.

Next up

Liverpool’s next assignment in the Youth League is an away tie against RB Leipzig. That encounter is scheduled for a 3pm BST start on Wednesday October 23.