U21s fall to Everton defeat
It was a frustrating day for Liverpool U21s as they fell to a 3-1 defeat in the mini-derby to Everton at St Helens Langtree Park on Sunday afternoon.
On the positive front Jordan Rossiter played his first 90 minutes since returning from injury, and he was joined in the line-up by Jose Enrique who played at centre-half.
The young Reds started brightly but despite creating some decent openings, didn’t take their chances and would eventually pay the price.
David Unsworth’s side took the lead on 27 minutes when Antony Evans converted Conor McAleny’s cross.
McAleny then hit the post before Callum Connolly made it 2-0 on the stroke of half-time.
Substitute Harry Wilson then got the Reds back into the game with a great finish on 65 minutes, but three minutes the Blues restored their two goal cushion when Kieran Dowell fired home.
Reflecting on the loss, U21s boss Michael Beale said: “We started so well and dominated for the first 25-30 minutes, but we missed big opportunities to take the lead.
“Everton scored with the first attack and this completely changed the flow of the game.
“We conceded poor goals in the game that affected our confidence and decision making. Unfortunately, this is a repeat of the previous two games when we have started well but failed to maintain momentum.
“The big positive for us was Jordan getting his first 90 minutes of the season with no issues.”
Liverpool U21s: Fulton, Maguire, Hart (Virtue), Cleary, Enrique, Rossiter, Madger Gomes, Chirivella (Wilson), Sinclair, Brannagan (Trickett-Smith), O’Hanlon. Subs not used: Firth, Brewitt.