We continue to look at the Academy here on Read Liverpool with a review of proceedings for the Under-21s month of February.
Tottenham 1-0 Liverpool | 11th February 2013
Spurs condemned Liverpool to their first defeat of the league campaign with a 1-0 victory to kick off the month of February.
Jonathan Obika spoiled the return of former Spurs reserve coach Alex Inglethorpe with a brilliant solo-run goal, slotting past Danny Ward early on.
The visitors threatened to double their advantage twice in quick succession when Harry Kane’s long ranged fizzed shot diverted just past the goal, followed by goalkeeper Danny Ward palming away Tom Carroll’s vicious volley.
Tottenham continued their dominance into the back-end of the first half. Ward once again denied Kane, as he seemed certain to rifle past the Welshman.
Down the other end, Liverpool should’ve been on level terms when a rare break led to Krisztian Adorjan lifting his effort over the bar from close range.
Going into the second half, Joao Carlos Teixeira was bundled down by Harry Kane and Spanish starlet Suso stepped up to take the free kick, but his resulting effort curled well wide of the target.
The young Reds continued to siege the Tottenham goal in search of an equalizer.
Sliding in, Suso couldn’t get a toe on the end of substitute Nacho’s enticing ball across the face of goal.
Goalkeeper Jonathan Miles was in inspired form, as he denied Adorjan and Teixeira’s goal-bound efforts to preserve the hosts’ lead and inflict Liverpool’s first defeat of the season.
West Brom 1-2 Liverpool | 17th March 2013
A late Joao Carlos Teixeira goal ensured Liverpool got back to winning ways when they ran out 1-2 victors at The Hawthorns against West Brom.
Jordon Ibe opened the scoring for the Reds early on in the 18th minute. Joao Carlos Teixeira threaded through Adam Morgan before the striker squared it across the face of goal for Ibe to tuck away his first goal for the U21s.
Morgan then came close to doubling the visitor’s lead moments later, but slipped his effort just wide of the post as the keeper advanced to narrow the angle.
West Brom offered very little down the other end. The versatile Conor Coady looked comfortable alongside Stephen Sama, breaking down any threat that was posed.
However, after an imposing start to the second half, Adil Nabi drew West Brom level. Liverpool failed to clear their lines from a corner and Nabi was on hand to volley in following a scramble in the box.
A last ditch tackle by Conor Coady denied Isaiah Brown, as he breathed down on goal.
Any hope of West Brom snatching it late on was dashed when, in the 78th minute, Joao Teixeira kept his composure to tidily tuck away Suso’s pass.
However, in the dying minutes of the game Liam O’Neil’s late lunge on Marc Pelosi overshadowed the result. The German born midfielder instantly clutched his leg and had it later confirmed it was indeed a break.
Liverpool 0-1 Manchester United | 25th February
A last minute winner against rivals Manchester United broke hearts at Langtree Park, as 10-man Liverpool suffered their second defeat of the month.
First-team players Jonjo Shelvey, Andre Wisdom, Raheem Sterling and Suso were all named amongst a strong starting line-up for a crunch fixture in the U21 Premier League.
However, it was the visitors who began on the front foot, going close on two occasions through Jeffrey Schlupp.
Down the other end, Adam Morgan almost put the hosts in front as his fired effort rattled off the post.
Smart goalkeeping by Danny Ward denied Schlupp once again as United countered with conviction.
After the restart, Liverpool were down to 10 men. Defender Stephen Sama was given his marching orders after a second bookable offence.
With just over 40 minutes to play, the hosts were on the back foot as United camped in the opponents’ half.
Ward was in the firing zone again in goal; the Welshman was equal to Schlupp’s effort as he dispossessed Andre Wisdom.
Liverpool had their own chances to snatch it late on; Suso could only manage to send his effort over the bar and Joao Carlos Teixeira went close from distance.
However, the visitors bagged a 94th minute winner when Michele Fornasier scooped his shot over the man on the line and in.
Overall, Liverpool took only three points from a possible nine in February. Something Alex Inglethorpe will look to change come March.
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