Late Trickett-Smith winner sinks City
A late penalty from substitute Daniel Trickett-Smith earned Liverpool U21s a 2-1 win at Manchester City on Saturday morning.
In a game played at City's brand new Academy Stadium, which is adjacent to the Etihad Stadium, Michael Beale's side produced a superb display to get back to winning ways.
After centre-back Dan Cleary saw a goal disallowed for offside, the young Reds' Welsh winger Harry Wilson fired the the team into a first-half lead after being in the right place at the right time to meet Jerome Sinclair's superb assist.
City levelled with 15 minutes remaining when Jack Byrne found the net, but in the 88th minute Liverpool were awarded a penalty when Sergi Canos was brought down and Trickett-Smith kept his nerve to slot home from 12 yards.
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Reflecting on victory, Beale told Liverpoolfc.com: "In the first half we started ever so well and could have scored three or four goals.
"We scored an excellent first goal when Jerome has put a great ball in and Harry has timed his run brilliantly to find the net.
"Then in the second half it was a different game as they put us under pressure and we had to rely on the counter attack.
"They got the equaliser and we then made some changes which worked in our favour.
"We had some great chances. Sergi has missed when clean through and Connor Randall has had two one-on-ones with their goalkeeper.
"We then got the penalty when Sergi was brought down and Daniel has showed great charater to score after only just coming on.
"We more than deserved the victory in the end and I am so pleased for the boys.
"It is a good result for the Academy because the lads were disappointed to go out of the FA Youth Cup and then lose 2-1 to Manchester United."
Liverpool U21s team: Vigouroux, McLaughlin, Smith, Cleary, Maguire, Williams, Randall, O'Hanlon (Trickett-Smith 84), Sinclair, Brannagan (Chirivella 76), Wilson (Canos 60).