Young Reds slip to Chelsea defeat
Alex Kiwomya's late brace handed Chelsea a 2-0 victory over Liverpool U18s in the first leg of their FA Youth Cup semi-final tie at Anfield on Friday evening.
A goal in the 88th minute, followed by a second strike in added time, stole what would have been a deserved draw for the Reds away from Steve Cooper's side.
The youngsters will travel to Stamford Bridge next Friday to fight for a place in the final.
The opening quarter of an hour proved to be a tight affair, with Blues captain Lewis Baker's wayward free-kick the only attempt.
Just under 10 minutes later, the Reds fashioned their first opportunity of the encounter through Jordon Ibe.
The winger sprung away from pressure on the edge of the area before drilling a stinging effort that diving goalkeeper Mitchell Beeney could only parry into the path of Kristoffer Peterson. Just as the Swede appeared certain to slam a rebounding shot into the gaping net, Blues defender Andreas Christensen slid in to clip the ball away from danger.
This was the catalyst for several chances shared by both sides shortly after the half-hour mark.
The first of which fell to Chelsea striker Islam Feruz. Baker slid the ball through to the youngster, who spun before sending a shot fizzing through the legs of Lloyd Jones and just beyond the far post.
Moments later, the hungry Peterson went in search of goal again when he burst down the right flank. The 19-year-old brought the ball inside from the wing before rifling an attempt straight at Beeney.
As the first period neared a close, Charlie Colkett wasted a fairly inviting chance after the Reds failed to deal with a dangerous cross.
Feruz raced in behind Liverpool's backline before hitting a fierce cross that was cleared only as far as Colkett, who was lurking in the box. The midfielder lacked composure and lashed a first-time effort high into the stands.
Following the restart, the visitors resumed proceedings in bright fashion and caused a couple of moments of anxiety for the Reds within the first six minutes of the second half.
Jeremie Boga gave the Reds rearguard cause for concern when he skipped past several challenges in midfield to create an opening 25 yards from goal. Fortunately for Liverpool, the winger's curled effort soared over the crossbar.
Five minutes later, the ball hit the woodwork for the first time when Ola Aina made contact with the post, albeit inadvertently.
The full-back surged down the right wing before hitting a hopeful cross that caught Ryan Fulton off guard and clipped the near post on its way through the six-yard box before flying away to safety.
That would not be the only occasion where connection would be made with the goal frame as posts at both ends of the pitch were rattled in quick succession soon after the hour mark.
John Swift replaced Colkett in the midfield and his first contribution in the game was to hand Feruz a glorious opportunity to break the deadlock when he played a through-ball up to the youngster.
The frontman didn't hesitate as he prodded the ball beyond Fulton before seeing it ricocheting off the post back into the path of Ruben Loftus Cheek. The midfielder immediately side-footed a shot towards goal but the retreating Fulton heroically dived down to prevent him.
Liverpool rapidly fought back and Peterson utilised his ferocious pace to race past the Blues backline before being foiled by Beeney, his shot agonisingly deflecting onto the post off the goalkeeper and bouncing wide.
The stunning tempo of the match didn't relent as both sides battled for the crucial opener. Unfortunately for the Reds, Kiwomya struck twice late into the match to grab the win.
Baker's powerful cross deflected favourably into the path of Kiwomya, who chested the ball down and fired it into the corner, before Boga's pacey run inside from the left flank enabled his fellow winger to find the net again.
Boga laid the ball across to the wideman, who swiftly side-footed across Fulton and into the far corner of the net to seal the victory for the visitors.