Late Phillips header seals dramatic win
Adam Phillips stooped low at the near post to head home a late winner and clinch a 1-0 victory for Liverpool U18s against Sunderland on Saturday afternoon.
The 16-year-old turned in fine display at the heart of the Reds' midfield, one which had truly warranted a goal - and when it mattered, the youngster was clinical.
Rain had poured down over Kirkby for almost the entire match, but it subsided with minutes to go - and as the sun came out over the Reds' Academy, Phillips buried Alex O'Hanlon's cross to clinch the points.
There was late drama in the game when Sunderland thought they had the ball over the line in the final seconds; however, the referee ruled against the goal and the home side celebrated.
Neil Critchley's team will be delighted with the narrow win, which they had to fight tooth and nail for against a solid Black Cats side, who created a host of chances to win the game.
Their best early opportunity was gifted to Ethan Robson in the 18th minute, when he seized upon a loose ball, sped through on goal, eased away to the right before raking wide.
At the other end, Sheyi Ojo tucked inside for Ryan Kent, who shifted onto his left and lashed a shot across the face of goal, but Maksymilian Stryjek was able to collect.
Phillips, who continues to impress in the middle of the park, turned 16 a mere matter of weeks ago, but he looked to create and spread the play at any given opportunity.
He saw Wilson embark on a run through the middle and promptly lofted high over the top of the Black Cats' defence. Wilson plucked the ball out of the sky, drifted wide before unleashing a shot which Josh Robson blocked boldly.
When Thomas Robson clattered into Wilson, the referee handed Phillips another chance to whip a trademark cross into the middle and Daniel Cleary was inches away from making contact.
Then came a couple of crucial interventions from Liverpool's stopper, Ryan Fulton. His first prompted applause from the sidelines as he lunged to his right to push away Andrew Nelson's vicious strike.
In the 38th minute, Lynden Gooch struck low after neat build-up play from the visitors, but Fulton threw out a solid right hand and kept his balance on the way to ground to push the ball clear.
After the interval, Daniel Roberts was required to keep the scores level. Gooch fed Smith, who had made a lung-busting run from deep - and the midfielder looked to have manoeuvred into a yard of space, but Liverpool's Scouse centre-half flew in to block.
The home team's best chance of the game materialised shortly after, with the tricky Wilson at the heart of it. Tom Brewitt back-heeled him the ball and the Wales international darted forward before unleashing a curler, which Stryjek was unable to hold and yet Daniel Trickett-Smith was unable to finish.
With seconds of normal time left on the clock, Liverpool grabbed a winner. Ojo floated out wide to O'Hanlon, who clipped into the middle for Phillips and he was brave enough to lunge low and turn the ball home.
Liverpool U18s: Fulton, Brewitt, Hart, Cleary, Roberts, Phillips, Wilson (Randall), O'Hanlon, Kent (Marsh), Trickett-Smith (Chirivella), Ojo.