U18s slip to narrow Spurs defeat

Despite the Reds enjoying superiority throughout the opening period, the visitors struck early in the second half to condemn the home side to a third successive league defeat.

A notable name in the starting XI selected by Neil Critchley was that of Yan Dhanda, the Indian youngster, who was making his first appearance for the club at this level.

On five minutes, Tom Brewitt glanced a header off target from a close-range position after connecting with a curling corner from the right side, before Alex O'Hanlon retrieved possession strongly, galloped forward and clipped wide.

The Reds were dominating possession and territory in front of the watching Kenny Dalglish, but clear-cut chances were proving hard to come by - although O'Hanlon thrashed a bouncing hit straight at the Spurs goalkeeper.

At the other end, Daniel Cleary produced a perfectly-timed challenge to stunt Daniel Akindayini as the visiting striker latched onto an incisive through pass and bore down on goal three minutes before half-time.

When the action resumed for the second half, Joe Pritchard had Reds stopper Owen Wheeler worrying with a looping effort, but 12 minutes after the restart, the Spurs man did break the deadlock.

A bobbling delivery from the right flank deceived the Liverpool defence and 'keeper, which allowed Pritchard to steal in at the back post and power a finish into the back of the net for 1-0.

Kyle Walker-Peters, a constant thorn in the side of the hosts with his running and dribbling ability, flashed a shot wide of the far post following a powerful drive into the young Reds' penalty area.

Connor Randall almost salvaged a draw for Critchley's charges but the captain's thrash across the face of goal was punched clear and Tottenham secured all three points.

U18s team: Wheeler, Randall, Hart, Cleary, Brewitt, Burke, O'Hanlon (Roberts), Virtue (Griffin), Ojo, Dhanda (Whaldron), Kent. Unused substitute: George.