Young Reds edged out by Valencia
There was frustration for Liverpool U18s after they were defeated 2-1 by Valencia in the quarter-finals of the Frenz International Cup on Saturday.
Neil Critchley's side gave an impressive display in the Indonesian heat and can consider themselves unlucky in having a stoppage-time goal ruled out for offside when television replays suggested it was the wrong decision.
After winning all three of their opening games, Liverpool went into the match in Palembang in good spirits against a Valencia outfit who had only qualified courtesy of a 1-0 win over Chonburi of Thailand in their final group game.
The Spaniards started well and took a 15th-minute lead through a set piece. Alberto Rabasso Osuna's ball into the box from the right was met by an unmarked Mariano Konyk at the back post, whose header back across goal found Francisco Jose Navarro, who made no mistake.
Liverpool began to find their way back into the contest and created two great openings. Tom Brewitt headed wide from an Adam Phillips dead-ball delivery, while Harry Wilson was unlucky to see his free-kick superbly kept out by Jorge Zapata.
The young Reds started the second half superbly well and within five minutes clinched a deserved equaliser. Wilson's inviting pass found Sergi Canos, who kept his composure before netting.
Three minutes later Wilson found himself clear with a sight of goal, but as he shaped to shoot he was denied by a fantastic sliding tackle from Ivan Martinez Roca.
Valencia regained the lead on 69 minutes. Wilson lost possession in his own half and Alvaro Gomez Martin was allowed to drive on into the penalty area and send an unstoppable drive beyond the reach of Ben Jackson and into the back of the net.
With Pedro Chirivella and Phillips influential in midfield, Critchley's charges refused to give up without a fight. Canos missed a glorious chance when he headed wide with the goal at his mercy and substitute Toni Gomes saw a late header kept out by Zapata.
Right at the end, Liverpool thought they had forced extra-time when Canos found the net only to see his celebrations denied by a dubious offside flag.
It was a frustrating way to end their stay in Indonesia, but overall it has been a fantastic experience for the Liverpool youngsters, who have made a brilliant impression out in Asia.
Liverpool U18s team: Jackson, Whelan, Johnston (Ejaria), Brewitt, Lewis, Chirivella, Phillips, Madger Gomes (Toni Gomes), Wilson, Canos, Maxwell (Nicholas).