Liverpool U18s ran out 4-3 winners in a thrilling Merseyside derby to beat top-of-the-table Everton at Kirkby.
Liverpool U18s 4-3 Everton U18s
U18 Premier League, Kirkby
November 1, 2018
Goals: Duncan 2′, Glatzel 47′, Clarkson 55′, Bearne 90′; Adedoyin 38′, 59′, Phillips 79′
Barry Lewtas‘ young Reds showed a mix of brilliance and battling spirit to emerge with the points after a tremendous encounter on Thursday night.
Bobby Duncan got the Reds off to a flier by heading home the opening goal just a couple of minutes after kickoff.
Liverpool had further chances to extend their lead through Paul Glatzel and Elijah Dixon-Bonner, while Duncan saw another effort cleared off the line.
Everton equalised against the run of play before the break and might even have taken an undeserved lead, but the woodwork came to goalkeeper Vitezslav Jaros‘ rescue.
Shortly after the break, the Reds’ were back in front as Glatzel worked his way into the box and dispatched a great finish.
A back-and-forth match saw further chances at both ends, with right-back Ki-Jana Hoever putting in a noteworthy display in both halves of the pitch, making a challenge to deny a goal and almost setting up another for the Reds.
Leighton Clarkson eventually made it 3-1 with a superb free-kick, but just five minutes later the Blues reduced the arrears once more after Yasser Larouci was caught in possession.
A brilliant match still had more twists and turns ahead, as Everton made it 3-3 late on after capitalising on a rare slip-up by Hoever.
As the final whistle drew near it looked as though the points would be shared—until another Clarkson free-kick was touched home by sub Jack Bearne to win it at the death for Liverpool.
TIA Man of the Match: Ki-Jana Hoever
Liverpool U18s: Jaros; Hoever, R.Williams, Clayton, Larouci; Dixon-Bonner (Tagseth 71′); Clarkson, Cain (Bearne 86′), Longstaff; Duncan, Glatzel (Ritaccio 90+1′)
Subs not used: B.Williams, O’Rourke
Next Match: Red Star (A) – UEFA Youth League – Tuesday, November 6, 1pm (GMT)
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