Liverpool’s Under-21s suffered a frustrating 1-0 home defeat at the hands of Middlesbrough on Sunday in the Premier League 2.
The Reds have struggled in recent months and now remain without a home win in four months – but it was hoped last week’s away win over Stoke City would inspire an upturn in form. Instead, it was more frustration for Barry Lewtas’ youngsters, who were thwarted by a combination of poor finishing and an inspired display from opposition goalkeeper Shea Connor.
Liverpool started on the front foot with the midfield combination of James McConnell and Trey Nyoni dictating the pace and flow of the game.
It was McConnell who created the game’s first real opening when his sublime lofted pass fell to the feet of Trent Kone-Doherty, but he drove this effort straight Connor. Then Nyoni set up Ranel Young with a well-timed through ball, but Liverpool’s no.9 arced his shot just wide.
When the goal came it was the visitors who grabbed it in comical style. Josh Dede’s cross into the front post was met by Amara Nallo whose body shape was all wrong and, as he attempted to head clear, inadvertently looped the ball high over Harvey Davies in the home goal. It was a moment to forget for Nallo, the youngster who was sent off just four minutes into his senior in January
At the other end it was a different story as a compact and well organized Boro outfit infuriated Liverpool. The North-East side sit third bottom of the Premier League 2 and had won just three games all season prior to Sunday, but its defensive discipline proved too much for Liverpool.
An excellent display from Connor helped. He kept out a powerful effort from Kieran Morrison at the end of the first half, while, after the break, a superb reflex stop from first his own defender, George McCormick, and then Young, somehow preserved Middlesbrough’s lead.
Minutes later another reaction save kept out Kane-Doherty’s bullet header at the back post, before a tame Nyoni header offered less of a threat. But the best save of the lot came in the 73rd minute as McConnell’s strike deflected and looked set to loop into the goal, before Connor managed to somehow extend his arm and flick the ball acrobatically over with his finger tips.
The predominantly Liverpool-supporting crowd could barely believe it, as the gasps and subsequent appreciative round of applause indicated.
On the rare occasion the stopper couldn’t get near the ball – from a Nyoni strike and powerful Keyrol Figueroa header – he was fortunate to see them sail wide of the far post
Boro offered little attacking threat themselves and managed just one shot on target on a bright and breezy afternoon on Merseyside. But it will take real encouragement from keeping out a side that contained four players who have featured for Arne Slot’s team this season.
There was more for Connor to deal with as Figueroa’ strike deflected towards goal and forced a low stop from the inspired keeper. Then, in injury-time, Pilling’s awkward effort from a few yards out was held – another stop the home fans could scarcely believe.
Tempers flared at the end of a frustrating afternoon as Nallo was shown a yellow card for dissent, while Isaac Mabaya and Oli Samuels clashed in the ninth minute of injury-time and both were booked.
From the subsequent free-kick, Nallo rose highest in the box and met Morrison’s cross – yet his effort smashed off the crossbar. When your luck’s out, it’s out.
Liverpool player ratings
Davies (6); Mabaya (5), Pinnington (6), Nallo (5), Jonas (5); McConnell (7), Nyoni (6), Morrison (6); Kane-Doherty (6), Young (5), Ngumoha (4) Subs – Figueroa (6), Pilling (N/A).
