U21s end 2015 with Norwich draw at Carrow Road
A brilliant display from Norwich City goalkeeper Jake Kean ensured Liverpool U21s had to settle for a point after a goalless draw in front of over 9,000 supporters at Carrow Road on Monday night.
Michael Beale’s young side produced an excellent second-half display in their final game of 2015, and were unfortunate not to get their win, but the experienced Canaries stopper had a fine night.
Going into the game, the Liverpool teamsheet saw then inclusion of 18-year-old Sheyi Ojo. The talented forward is enjoying a fruitful loan spell in the Championship with Wolves, but under the agreement of the temporary move, he was able to get a valuable 90 minutes after returning from injury.
In the opening 45 minutes Beale’s charges worked some nice openings, only to see the final ball let them down.
Right-back Corey Whelan had the best chance of the first-half when a lovely pass from Harry Wilson gave him a sight of goal, but under pressure from Arinse Uade, his effort was beaten away by Kean.
After the break Liverpool stepped up their attacking intent. Alex O’Hanlon blasted over the top and Ojo and Wilson were big threats from the flanks.
With Matty Virtue outstanding and tackling everything that moved in front of his back-four, and Sam Hart raiding up and down the left flank to great effect, it seemed only a matter of time before the young Reds would make a breakthrough.
However, Kean was in no mood to give away goals and in front of the watching Canaries boss Alex Neil he proved to be a frustrating obstacle to beat for Jerome Sinclair and co.
Just past the hour mark a fine pass from O’Hanlon gave Sinclair a sight of goal, but he drilled his low effort just past the post.
The No.9 was to be frustrated once again when Kean made a brilliant stop to keep out his close range effort, then the goalkeeper made an even better save to deny Wilson after a delightful flick from O’Hanlon.
Try as they might Liverpool just couldn’t find an opening. Sinclair was then denied again by the heroics of Kean before substitute Brooks Lennon volleyed a great late chance over the top.
The faces on the young Reds at the final whistle confirmed frustration but they shouldn’t be too downhearted as performance wise, they couldn’t have done much more in the second-half.
Liverpool U21s: Fulton, Whelan, Hart, Cleary, Maguire, Virtue, Wilson, Chirivella, Sinclair, O’Hanlon (Lennon 84), Ojo.
Subs not used: George, Trickett-Smith, Polgar, Brewitt.