Liverpool analysis as the under-19s see their UEFA Youth League campaign ended with a 2-1 defeat in Slovakia against MSK Zilina on Tuesday
Liverpool Academy coach Rob Page
Liverpool Academy coach Rob Page(Image: Lewis Storey/Getty Images)
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The wait goes. Liverpool are still yet to win an away knockout game in the UEFA Youth League after their latest stint in the competition was brought to a disappointing end.
Despite an early goal from Kieran Morrison, the young Reds were beaten 2-1 by MSK Zilina in front of a 10,000-capacity crowd at the Stadion pod Dubnom in Slovakia on Tuesday afternoon.
An under-19 side helmed by Rob Page struggled with the physicality and difficult playing surface in wintry conditions to exit at the round of 32 stage for the second successive year.
Defensive struggles
Availability issues in defence aren't just confined to the first team. With Carter Pinnington suspended and Wellity Lucky absent with a hamstring injury, Page was robbed of key personnel at the heart of his rearguard for this knockout clash..
Lucky was the most notable loss given in the three games in which he had previously featured in this competition, Liverpool hadn't conceded a goal. In the three in which he hadn't, the Reds had leaked 13 times.
Amara Nallo, who came off the bench in the Champions League against Qarabag last week, was partnered by Emmanuel Airoboma. But the pair were at fault for Zilina's winner when allowing Frantisek Kosa to run straight through them on to a throughball and then score.
Both had been substituted by the end, with Prince Cisse on for Airorboma while an injured Nallo made way for Lucas Clarke.
It was a tough evening, though, for the entire backline, with DJ Esdaille given a difficult examination in the first half in particular having returned last month after lengthy spell on the sidelines, with his clearing header in the 35th minute dropping for Fabian Bzdyl to thrash home the leveller with a first-time finish from the edge of the area.
Physical difference
If there was one area where the physical difference between the teams was notably apparent, it came in midfield. Joe Upton, who turned 18 on Monday and has been impressive all season, and 17-year-old Hayden Murray-Holme, making his first start in the competition, possess talent but neither is the tallest.
And that became an issue during the engine room combat, particularly after the latter was somewhat harshly booked during the first half. The option of Pinnington, who twice featured in defensive midfield in the first UEFA Youth League stage, was significantly missed.
It meant the height of 17-year-old striker Will Wright - Liverpool's youngest starter on his first Youth League outing since sustaining an injury in the opening game against Atletico Madrid in September - was predominantly used in defending set-pieces rather than an attacking sense.
Zilina, backed by a loud home crowd, were deserved winners although the Reds youngsters will have gained much from the experience of playing in such a partisan atmosphere.
Abe impresses
It had started all so well. Less than four minutes were on the clock when, after Trent Kone-Doherty won possession in midfield, Josh Sonni-Lambie fed a ball out wide to Morrison, who advanced into the area and netted into the bottom corner.
But that Liverpool had precious little sight of goal between that and Morrison forcing a save with a shot from range in the 88th minute underlines the fact the Reds were largely outplayed until a spate of pressure in the final quarter.
It wasn't for the want of trying on the part of Sonni-Lambie, who regularly caught the eye in the number 10 role with his ability to keep possession and bring others into play. The 18-year-old is having an impressive campaign with 19 goals at Academy level.
There was also a UEFA Youth League bow for 15-year-old Josh Abe, the winger coming off the bench midway through the second half and making an impact with his pace and close control.
Several of Liverpool's players will still be eligible to feature in the competition next season, and will now be waiting to see if their participation is ensured by the senior team qualifying for the Champions League.
LIVERPOOL U19s: Misciur; Esdaille, Nallo (Clarke 85), Airoboma (Cisse 70), Ayman; Upton, Murray-Holme (Abe 67); Morrison, Sonni-Lambie, Kone-Doherty; W Wright. Subs: Bernard, M Wright, Bradshaw, O'Connor, Farkas, Forrester.