U18s held in six-goal Norwich thriller
Kevin Lokko's header in the dying moments of the match meant Liverpool U18s were forced to settle for a dramatic 3-3 draw in their Barclays U18 Premier League clash with Norwich City at the Academy.
After taking the lead just before half-time through an impressive solo effort courtesy of Ryan Kent, Liverpool found themselves behind through Jamie Eaton-Collins and Cameron Norman.
Daniel Trickett-Smith's equaliser and Adam Phillips' devastating 30-yard free-kick looked to have secured all three points for the Reds, but the FA Youth Cup champions struck back in the final few minutes of the match to level the scoring once again.
In new U18s manager Neil Critchley's first home game in charge, the young side poured forward immediately after kick-off as they looked to make a statement of intent.
This was epitomised in the first minute when Trickett-Smith met a pass in behind the visitors' back-line and was hauled down by the retreating Michee Efete on the edge of the area inside the first minute.
The forward dusted himself off and assumed free-kick duty; Trickett-Smith slammed his effort into the wall before the danger was swiftly cleared out of the six-yard box before onrushing Reds could pounce onto the deflected effort.
Liverpool were evidently eager to stamp authority on proceedings as Kent showed excellent footwork to work himself space for a shot that was unfortunately wayward. The winger picked up a loose ball 25 yards from goal before skipping past several challenges and dragging a left-footed shot narrowly wide.
Reminiscent of the manner in which Kent found a glimpse of goal, Harvey Hodd showed similar guile to create the Canaries' first clear opportunity. The winger glided past multiple players before being comfortably prevented from an acute angle by goalkeeper Ryan Crump.
Shortly after, Alex O'Hanlon was just as composed as he met Phillips' cross with a neat touch and chip over Norwich custodian Liam Priestley but was denied by a last-ditch clearance off the line by Lokko.
That was not to be the only occasion where Phillips' vision would cause mayhem for the visitors' rearguard. Just after the half-hour mark, the youngster's vicious cross was met with a first-time side-footed effort from Trickett-Smith that Priestley was impressively equal to with a diving save.
As Liverpool's efforts looked as if they wouldn't yield an opener in the first 45 minutes, the Reds broke the deadlock through the energetic Kent on the stroke of half-time.
The 16-year-old surged into the area and effortlessly shifted the ball onto his left foot before drilling it into the bottom corner of the net, rendering Priestley grounded and helpless as he handed Liverpool the lead in stunning fashion.
Norwich re-emerged after the restart with renewed vigour and determination. Rapid interplay in the visitors' half saw the ball fizz towards Eaton-Collins, who swiftly turned and rifled a low effort beyond the outstretched arm of substitute 'keeper Andrew Firth - the injured Crump's replacement - and into the bottom corner at the near post.
Liverpool's inevitable frustration from seeing the score levelled was compounded on the hour mark when a penalty was harshly awarded against them for an alleged handball by Nathan Burke when a shot was drilled against his trailing arm.
Canaries captain Norman stepped up and calmly side-footed narrowly past Firth to overturn the score.
The Reds were valiant in their response and ensured that the visitors' lead was short-lived with an equaliser with little over 20 minutes remaining that displayed more impressive composure from Critchley's charges.
Phillips' accuracy did not relent as he played a long ball for Trickett-Smith to latch onto in behind Norwich's backline. Aware of the rapidly retreating Nathan Fox, the forward expertly turned past the defender before slotting the ball past the onrushing Priestley and into a gaping net.
The rhythm of the encounter appeared to reverse again completely as the Reds began charging forward in search of the lead once again.
Deft touches from O'Hanlon and Phillips assisted Kent for a shot at goal but only for the winger to see a potential brace dashed by Priestley. However, the Reds continued to press for a third goal and were rewarded for their efforts through yet more magical aiming from Phillips.
The winger stepped up to take a 30-yard free-kick on the left flank and curled an unstoppable effort that soared into the top corner of the net.
As the Reds looked destined to collect all three points, Lokko ruined such plans as he met a free-kick with a header in the dying stages to ensure that the spoils were shared on a dramatic day at the Academy.
Liverpool team: Crump (Firth 45), Waldron (Williams), Hart, Cleary, Brewitt, Burke, O'Hanlon (Robles), Phillips, Trickett-Smith, Kent.