Liverpool U19s came from behind to emphatically beat Bayer Leverkusen U19s in the UEFA Youth League this afternoon with Rio Ngumoha starring particularly in the second half in Kirkby.
When Kornel Misciur, a 17-year-old who signed his first professional contract last month, brought down a Bayer Leverkusen attacker inside his own penalty area just a couple of minutes, Kerim Alajbegovic stepped up with a brilliant spot kick that flew past the Liverpool goalkeeper. The young Reds, though, did well to bring themselves back into the contest and then went ahead.
Kieran Morrison, excelling as a No. 10 on the day, was one stand-out performer, while Trent Kone-Doherty was another. Morrison scored a very good volley from inside the penalty area to level things before half-time and Kone-Doherty had his full-back beaten time and time again.
The next 'Pep Guardiola or Jurgen Klopp' is coming to Liverpool, and Real Madrid is watching closely Liverpool team vs Bayer Leverkusen predicted as two changes made
Carter Pinnington put Liverpool in front in the game just before the hour mark with Josh Davidson swinging in a brilliant wide free-kick. The defender, normally a center-back but playing full-back here because of DJ Esdaille being absent with a minor injury, rose highest to head home at the back post after the superb Ngumoha had drawn a foul.
Ngumoha, playing on the left wing at the age of just 16, grew into the game more in the second half and his dribbling skills were evident. Trey Nyoni, meanwhile, was quieter, but still showed his composure in the center of the field.
Ranel Young, who was named on the bench for Liverpool's first team in the Carabao Cup last midweek at Brighton, was fortunate to escape a second booking when he put in a late tackle. But he had, in fairness, been very unlucky to get his first caution for a minor foul on the goalkeeper when the ball was bouncing around inside the penalty area.
Young's replacement, Keyrol Figueroa, the son of former Premier League star Maynor, soon added his name to the scoresheet. Ngumoha was central to the move, dribbling past two or three players when he looked surrounded and out of room, before the Figueroa fired the ball into the top corner. Kone-Doherty added a cool finish to make it 4-1 in stoppage time; a goal that was fully deserved after an excellent performance.
Liverpool U19s have Real Madrid next in Europe. Tenth in the standings at the final whistle in this game, they need to finish inside the top 22 places in the table after six matches to progress to the knockout phase. The fixtures mirror the first six Champions League matches that the senior team plays, with four now completed. Hello and welcome to the Liverpool Echo's live coverage of the UEFA Youth League clash between the Reds and Bayer Leverkusen's Under-19 side.
The tie will take place at the AXA Training Centre in Kirkby, with the senior representatives for each team in action at Anfield later this evening in the Champions League group stage.
Liverpool have struggled to find consistency in the Youth League so far, with one win, one draw and one defeat from their first three fixtures. Last time out they suffered a disappointing 3-1 loss to RB Leipzig, leaving them 19th in the standings going into matchday 4.
Ian Doyle will be in attendance at the Academy to cover the action, which kicks off at 2 p.m. (GMT). Stick with us for live build-up, goal updates and reaction to what is a crucial game for Liverpool's next generation.
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Full-time and Liverpool have earned an impressive UEFA Youth League win over Bayer Leverkusen.
Behind early on, goals from Morrison, Pinnington, Figueroa and Kone-Doherty turned the game around.
Really good game and a fine victory for the young Reds.
That was a striker Kone-Doherty merited for his good work all game.
Released by Figueroa down the right, he kept on going into the box and hit a shot across the goalkeeper.
It stayed hit!
Morrison strikes the outside of the post from range.
That was a close one.
Bradshaw comes on for Ngumoha with two minutes of normal time remaining.
Misciur has had a good game since conceding that penalty early on and has made another save, this time from Stepanov.
Into the last five minutes now with the Reds leading 3-1.
Figueroa has been on the pitch a matter of seconds but he's surely won it for Liverpool with a strong finish after good work inside the area.
Instant impact!
Figueroa comes on for Young.
We have 18 minutes remaining and Liverpool still lead 2-1.
Pohl goes into the book after a disagreement with Young.
Liverpool are ahead, slightly against the run of play.
Davidson wins a free-kick and then picks himself up to deliver a cross to the far post where Pinnington heads home.
Nice effort, that.
And another!
Young goes into the book for a challenge on Leverkusen goalkeeper Schlich after Misciur had made another good stop, this time from Culbreath.
Action at both ends.
An excellent Leverkusen move that goes from one box to the other ends with Stepanov having a shot saved by Misciur.
Then the goalkeeper makes another good save to deny Alajbegovic, and then claims the corner. Good keeping.
The second half has started. Can Liverpool complete their recovery and get the win?
We'll find out over the next 45 minutes.
All square at the interval. Not a bad half of football. Entertaining.
Misciur has to make another save as Stepanov gets in behind Lucky a bit too easily.
It's a reverse of the game's early yellow card.
Alajbegovic downs Kone-Doherty and goes into the book.
Morrison scores but that was all about Nyoni.
The midfielder bursts into the box, plays a one-two with Young then sees his shot blocked.
It then drops to Morrison on the edge of the area who volleys into the bottom corner. Nice goal.
It's there!
The Reds are having good spells of possession aroudn the Leverkusen area but haven't yet managed a real chance yet.
Culbreath gets in far too easily down the right and gets into the box, but Misciur turns his shot on to the post.
Liverpool had looked a little livelier until then. A warning they have to remain on their toes.
Good work by Ngumoha and Nyoni down the left leads to Nyoni getting into the box but his effort at the near post is blocked and deflects off him for a goal kick.
Better from the Reds.
Leverkusen attempt to break down the left and Kone-Doherty fouls Alajbegovic.
It's a booking for the Liverpool winger.
Young is trying to get into spaces in between the Leverkusen defenders and has had one strong run that ran out of steam inside the area.
Liverpool are playing with Davidson at left-back and Pinnington at right-back. The latter has been on the opposite side in recent games.
Culbreath is brought down by Misciur while running on to a throughball for what is clearly a penalty.
Alajbegovic steps up and converts into the left corner.
Liverpool already up against it.
Not a good start.
With (West) Germany World Cup winner Rudi Voller among those watching on, we are under way.
The teams are walking out here at Kirkby so we're almost ready to go...
This is the fourth of six group games for Liverpool who, like in the Champions League, are in one big league.
With a goalless draw in Milan, a 2-1 win at home to Bologna and a 3-1 loss at RB Leipzig, the Reds are 19th in the 36-team league.
They finish after today with games at home to Real Madrid and away to Girona.
The top 22 qualify for the play-offs.
