Sir Kenny Dalglish Sees Liverpool U18s Rally Late to Earn 2-2 Draw with Man United | OneFootball

Liverpool U18s Stage Dramatic Comeback to Draw Against Manchester United

Liverpool U18s showcased their resilience on Saturday, clawing back from a 2-0 deficit to earn a 2-2 draw against Manchester United at the AXA Training Centre. A late goal from Tyler Martin sealed the point for the young Reds, capping off an impressive fightback in the U18 Premier League clash.

Early Setback as United Take Control

Marc Bridge-Wilkinson’s side faced their fiercest rivals without key players Trey Nyoni and Rio Ngumoha, both seemingly poised for first-team involvement under Arne Slot in Liverpool’s FA Cup fourth-round fixture against Plymouth on Sunday.

The absence of these influential figures was felt early on. Manchester United’s Victor Musa opened the scoring in the 17th minute, expertly heading home from a corner. The visitors doubled their lead just 11 minutes later, with Musa once again finding the net, leaving Liverpool with a steep hill to climb before the half-hour mark.

Sonni-Lambie Sparks Revival Before Half-Time

Despite the early setback, Liverpool’s spirit never waned. Josh Sonni-Lambie, fresh off signing his first professional contract, delivered a moment of brilliance just before the break. Cutting inside with confidence, he fired an emphatic finish past the United keeper, giving the Reds a lifeline as they headed into the interval.

The goal not only reduced the deficit but also shifted the momentum in Liverpool’s favour, setting the stage for a thrilling second half.

Late Drama as Martin Secures Vital Point

Liverpool continued to press in the second half, with Sonni-Lambie remaining a constant threat. However, it was Bailey Hall’s heroics between the sticks that kept the young Reds in contention. The goalkeeper made a series of crucial saves to deny Manchester United from extending their lead.

As the clock ticked down, Afolami Onanuga’s persistent efforts kept the pressure on United’s defence. It was Tyler Martin who finally found the breakthrough in the 89th minute, his shot deflecting wickedly off a defender and into the net. The late equaliser was no less than Liverpool deserved for their relentless determination.

What’s Next for Liverpool U18s?

The draw leaves Liverpool U18s 12th in the league, just above Leeds, while Manchester United sit comfortably in second place. Next up for Bridge-Wilkinson’s side is a UEFA Youth League clash against Stuttgart in Germany on Tuesday, where they will look to build on this spirited performance.

Liverpool U18s Line-Up: Hall; Esdaille, Evers, Airoboma, Enahoro-Marcus; Upton, Ayman, Onanuga; Bradshaw (Ahmed 78′), Sonni-Lambie, Martin.

Subs not used: Bernard, Lonmeni, O’Connor, Williams.