U21s edged out by United despite late comeback
Liverpool U21s could consider themselves unfortunate to lose 3-2 against Manchester United after the rivals shared a flurry of late goals on Monday evening.
The young Reds trailed to strikes from Marouane Fellaini and Nick Powell heading into the final stages, but levelled through a quick-fire double by Jerome Sinclair and Madger Gomes.
However, there was still time for Sean Goss to restore the hosts’ advantage with a precise curler and secure a result that was ultimately harsh on Michael Beale’s team.
Beale could call on the services of Jordan Rossiter, fit again and in need of competitive minutes in midfield, winger Harry Wilson and Jose Enrique in naming a strong side at Leigh Sports Village.
For their part, United fielded the likes of Fellaini and Sergio Romero for a match that is always keenly contested at any level.
Sinclair was an important out ball for Liverpool in the early stages, dropping deep to hold possession, and one such move saw Brad Smith released with plenty of space on the left, but his eventual cross missed a teammate.
Wilson was primed to test Romero on the quarter-hour having been picked out by a sublime Alex O’Hanlon pass, only for Joe Riley to recover in time to block the Welshman.
On 26 minutes, the best chance to that point came for Andreas Pereira, who moved onto a tee-up by Powell and sent his effort over the crossbar under late pressure from Joe Maguire.
Fellaini made no mistake shortly after the half-hour mark, however.
A swinging cross from the left flank found the Belgium international arriving at the back post and the midfielder coolly knocked a finish into the opposite corner to give the home side the lead.
Sinclair could have levelled before the break when Maguire got to the byline and pulled the ball back into the six-yard box, where the Reds striker tried to flick beyond Romero but failed to impart enough power.
Powell slipped free to connect with a delivery to the middle of the box in the opening moments of the second half but glanced his header just wide of the left post.
Rossiter was withdrawn on the hour, receiving a respectful pat on the back from Fellaini in acknowledgement of a tenacious display, and Gomes took to the pitch to help the search for an equaliser.
One perhaps should have come from an unlikely source; O’Hanlon sprayed a pinpoint diagonal ball into the run of an unmarked Maguire, who dived to nod straight at the goalkeeper.
Gomes had the ball in the net but it was ruled out and Cameron Brannagan went close with a powerful curler from the left corner of the area as Beale’s charges mounted considerable pressure.
Instead, it was the opposition who struck again, Powell in the right place to tap home a rebound on 79 minutes after Ryan Fulton had pushed out an attempt from the influential Fellaini.
But Liverpool were not ready to give up and two goals in as many minutes for the visitors dramatically restored parity and set up a grandstand finish to the game.
Sinclair started the comeback by converting Wilson’s brilliant cross from yards out and Gomes completed it, capitalising on Romero’s failed punch to force the ball into the net for 2-2.
Both sides went searching for a decisive third and it was United who made it – Fellaini again involved, setting up Goss to clip a shot past the touch of Fulton and into the top corner.
Liverpool U21s: Fulton, Maguire, Smith (Hart), Cleary, Enrique, Rossiter (Madger Gomes), Wilson, Chirivella (Virtue), Sinclair, Brannagan, O’Hanlon. Unused substitutes: Firth, Whelan.