Liverpool U18s were unfortunate to be beaten 1-0 by Manchester United at the Academy on Saturday afternoon.
Charlie McNeil’s 35th-minute goal was enough to secure the three points for the visitors, who fielded a number of their U23s regulars.**
The young Reds, who welcomed the return of James Balagizi and Luca Stephenson from injury, pushed hard for a leveller in the U18s Premier League North encounter but were denied numerous times.*
Marc Bridge-Wilkinson’s side looked bright in the opening 20 minutes of the contest.*
U16s striker Ethan Ennis looked to break through clear on goal after being played in by Melkamu Frauendorf, only for United’s Will Fish to make a last-ditch challenge to thwart the danger.*
Kaide Gordon was unable to add a finishing touch to his superb run from deep as he fired straight at United stopper Radek Vitek, having cut inside from the left.*

United then applied pressure on the hosts and it led to a breakthrough, with McNeil accepting an easy finish after Jakub Ojrzynski could only palm out an Alvaro Fernandez cross.
Mateusz Musialowski came close to equalising a few minutes prior to half-time as Vitek was a match to his good effort.*
After the break, United came out looking to double their lead. Joe Hugill fired fractionally wide with an angled drive from the left before Ojrzynski pulled off a brilliant save to deny Dillon Hoogewerf.
Liverpool did respond well but just couldn't find a way through Vitek in the United goal.*
The 'keeper saved at the near post from Musialowski's shot after a run into the penalty area and then thwarted second-half substitute Max Woltman to earn the visitors the victory.
Liverpool U18s: Ojrzynski, Mabaya, Quansah, Jonas, Norris, Corness, Balagizi (Stephenson, 60), Frauendorf, Gordon, Ennis (Woltman, 73), Musialowski.*
Unused substitutes: Hewitson, Wilson.



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