U18s endure Black Cats defeat
There was disappointment for Liverpool U18s on Saturday afternoon as the young Reds were defeated 3-1 by Sunderland in the first of their play-off encounters.
Neil Critchley's charges struck first in the game when Wade Maxwell powered a header beyond the goalkeeper from Yan Dhanda's pinpoint cross.
The Reds were impressive for much of the first half, dominating the ball and pegging Sunderland back into their own half, creating plenty of chances to add to their lead.
However, the Black Cats enjoyed a brief spell of pressure just prior to half-time and made it count by equalising right on the cusp of the interval when Josh Robson side-footed home.
Critchley's charges were unfortunate to end the first period level, but they were pieced apart twice in the space of a minute shortly after the restart and found themselves 3-1 down in the tie.
First, Elliott Embleton converted coolly from Luke Molyneux's centre before Andrew Nelson drew Reds' stopper Andrew Firth and slid the ball beyond him to grab Sunderland's third.
Sunderland sat deep to protect their lead efficiently as Liverpool chased the game in search of an equaliser - and while chances were forged, there was to be no response on the scoresheet from the visitors.
"Scoreline aside, the performance was good and there were positives to take," Critchley told Liverpoolfc.com. "We created the chances to score but just couldn't take them."
Liverpool U18s: Firth, Brewitt (Roberts), Masterson, Polgar (Johnston), Alexander-Arnold, Kane, Nicholas, Ejaria, Dhanda, Virtue (Whyte), Maxwell.