Dramatic equaliser sees U21s progress
Villyan Bijev's late goal sealed a dramatic 1-1 draw for Liverpool U21s in their fiercely-contested match against Arsenal on Friday evening.
The forward (pictured) levelled matters in the 89th minute - a goal that the Reds' performance had warranted - after Thomas Eisfeld handed the Gunners the lead early on in the second half.
The result means Alex Inglethorpe's side qualify for the semi-final of the Barclays U21 Premier League.
The Reds looked to stamp authority on proceedings immediately when Adam Morgan tested Damian Martinez inside the first three minutes.
Arsenal surrendered possession in their own half, allowing Krisztian Adorjan to slide the ball through to the striker. Morgan's initial effort was parried back into his path by the Gunners custodian before his rebounding attempt bounced wide.
The visitors' promising rhythm was maintained as the devastating pace of Jordon Ibe helped to cause concern for the Londoners' rearguard.
The winger raced in behind the opposition's backline before crossing to Peterson. Under pressure in the six-yard box, the Swede cleverly rolled the ball backwards towards Morgan before the danger was quickly cleared away.
Ibe's involvement in the meaningful action continued as he came agonisingly close to grabbing a goal and an assist in the space of a frantic 15 seconds.
The Gunners defence was called upon yet again when the speed of Ibe stretched them for a second time. The No.11 created space to cross for Peterson whose header was blocked on the line by Martinez.
The Reds immediately won possession back before Peterson's and Ibe's roles were reversed. The former drilled a cross that deflected into the path of the 17-year-old, who swiftly fired a shot that defender Martin Angha dramatically threw himself in front of to prevent from crashing into the net.
The pair were pivotal again as the Reds pushed for an opener in the final quarter of an hour in the first half.
Peterson met a free-kick with a tame side-footed volley into the side-netting on the stroke of the half-hour mark before Ibe's movement created a chance for himself that he unfortunately wasted as half-time approached.
Joao Carlos Teixeira laid the ball across to the winger, who skipped past Angha and Hector Bellerin with ease before slicing a 16-yard effort well wide.
Despite all the pressure that the Reds exerted in the first half, it was Arsenal who broke the deadlock against the run of play four minutes after the restart.
Eisfeld was afforded acres of space in the midfield and after receiving the ball from Gedion Zelalem, he surged forward before rifling a 25-yard drive that flew into the top corner.
The second 45 minutes was proving to be a complete contrast from the opening period as the Gunners caused a scare in the 56th minute when they missed the opportunity to extend their lead.
Bellerin's cross from the right flank surprisingly drew no contact as Stephen Sama failed to clear it away, seeing the ball reach Jernade Meade at the back post. The full-back lacked composure as he rushed an effort that was sliced high and wide.
Following that, a period of little goalmouth action ensued. The closest either side came to threatening was with just under 20 minutes remaining when Chuba Akpom hit a fairly weak effort that failed to really trouble Danny Ward.
The lone frontman relentlessly raced down the right wing before side-footing an ambitious attempt from an acute angle that rolled narrowly wide past the far post.
Five minutes later, the influential Ibe was paramount in the Reds' attacking play as he teed up Craig Roddan for a chance.
The wideman slid the ball across to the midfielder who slammed the ball straight into the hands of Martinez from 25 yards.
As the encounter neared a close, Ibe's constant efforts to force an equaliser paid dividends in stunning fashion when substitute striker Bijev made it 1-1.
The youngster typically broke in behind the home side's backline before pulling it back to Bijev, who calmly tapped the ball over a diving Martinez to secure the deserved point.
Liverpool: Ward, Flanagan (c), McLaughlin, Sama, Jones, Roddan, Peterson (Bijev 81), Teixeira (Dunn 81), Morgan, Adorjan, Ibe.