Late equaliser rocks U21s at Old Trafford
Liverpool U21s were held to a 1-1 stalemate in their clash with Manchester United at Old Trafford after a late strike secured a draw for the Red Devils.
A stunning early goal from Jonjo Shelvey looked to have handed the Reds a firm grip on the game before Stephen Sama's dismissal saw the nature of play reverse.
United fortuitously levelled the scoring when substitute James Wilson's side-footed attempt was deflected into Liverpool's net by Jon Flanagan.
The result ensures that United finish above Liverpool in the Barclays U21 Premier League, with the sides second and third respectively. The two sides will now battle in the semi-final of the play-off stage at Old Trafford.
Following a fairly mild start to proceedings, Shelvey conjured up an opener.
After receiving an incisive pass from Suso, the midfielder was surprisingly allowed ample space to charge forward and rifle an unstoppable 25-yard drive into the top corner in the fifth minute.
The Reds' delight was dampened immediately after when they were reduced to ten men.
United midfielder Ryan Tunnicliffe had a clear passage to goal and just as he was about to surge into the 18-yard-box, Sama hauled him to the ground and was sent off for the offence.
Liverpool skipper Conor Coady deputised alongside Andre Wisdom at the centre of the Reds' defence and proved to be a worthy replacement as the rearguard remained sturdy.
The only moment of anxiety was expertly extinguished by Wisdom 20 minutes in.
The pacy Tyler Blackett raced in behind the Reds' backline and pulled the ball back to Jesse Lingard. The forward swiftly hammered a goalbound shot but was foiled by the intervening Wisdom who blocked the attempt heroically.
A calm period ensued as Liverpool's defence thwarted any United attacks that searched for a levelling goal, before the Reds threatened to extend their lead as half-time approached.
Suso's cross from the right flank was destined to find the well-positioned Kristoffer Peterson but just as the Swede was set to direct the ball on target, United goalkeeper Ben Amos dived out to palm away the danger.
Following the restart, sustained pressure from the home side saw them create two chances from similar positions shortly before the hour mark.
Reds custodian Danny Ward was tested for the first time in the game when he comfortably collected Larnell Cole's shot from an acute angle, before Marnick Vermijl's attempt brought no more fortune for the home side. The full-back raced into space before drilling a shot that flashed across the face of goal and fizzed away.
As the second half progressed, Lingard appeared to be the most potent threat that United posed as he forced Ward into making impressive saves.
The first of which saw the striker skip past Flanagan before hitting a curling shot towards the far corner that was parried away by the diving Ward.
The goalkeeper was then called into action yet again five minutes later when the troublesome Lingard burst through the midfield. The forward steered clear of retreating midfielders and defenders before hitting a low drive that was tipped around the post.
Unfortunately for the Reds, the home side eventually took advantage of having an extra player when they brought themselves back on terms with less than 10 minutes remaining.
Vermijl's cross was met by Wilson who directed the ball towards goal, resulting in Flanagan inadvertently turning it into his own net after seeing the attempt come at him at speed.
Despite the home side's efforts to snatch all three points late on, Ward and the Reds backline remained solid and foiled United.
Liverpool: Ward, Flanagan, Roddan, Sama, Wisdom (Jones 63), Coady, Suso, Teixeira, Dunn, Shelvey (Adorjan 63), Peterson (Morgan 84).