Liverpool U21s were involved in a proper derby battle at Goodison Park on Friday night as they drew 1-1 with Everton U21s in a feisty Premier League 2 encounter.
There was plenty of drama, two red cards, some heavy challenges, a returning Jayden Danns and, remarkably, centre-back Mor Talla Ndiaye ending the match in goal.
It was certainly not your typical academy fixture.
Wright puts Liverpool ahead
Liverpool started with a slightly weakened side, with the likes of Luke Chambers and James McConnell left out as the club continue to manage their young players amid potential loan moves.
Will Wright and Keyrol Figueroa started together in an unusual front two, and it was Wright who opened the scoring after just 14 minutes.
The forward redirected a low cross beyond Everton goalkeeper George Pickford to give Liverpool the lead.
But Everton responded almost immediately.
Just four minutes later, Jack Patterson converted a dangerous cross to level the game.
Everton U21s 1-1 Liverpool U21s.
It was a proper derby
The match quickly developed into a physical contest.
There were several late challenges throughout the opening half, with Wellity Lucky particularly unfortunate to find himself on the receiving end of some heavy tackles.
At one point, Lucky was left in pain after another challenge and punched the ground in frustration.
Thankfully, he was able to continue.
The referee eventually managed to get more control of the game, but the intensity never really disappeared.
And that’s perhaps exactly what Liverpool’s youngsters needed.
These are the experiences that help prepare young players for senior football.
Danns makes his return
One of the biggest positives for Liverpool was seeing Jayden Danns return to competitive action.
The 20-year-old striker has been building his fitness after impressing during training but hadn’t featured in Liverpool’s pre-season friendlies.
Rob Page introduced him in the second half for Figueroa.
And Danns almost made an instant impact.
Within 10 minutes he went close to scoring, with his effort rebounding to Ollie O’Connor.
O’Connor had an even better opportunity but dragged his effort narrowly wide.
It wasn’t Danns’ night in front of goal, but simply getting competitive minutes under his belt will be a major positive.
Then everything went crazy
Liverpool looked comfortable for long periods of the second half, but the game completely changed late on.
Everton thought they had taken the lead when Rocco Lambert finished brilliantly into the top corner.
However, the referee had already stopped play for a foul, meaning the goal didn’t count.
Then came the moment nobody expected.
Everton broke forward and Harvey Davies came off his line to clear.
The Everton attacker reached the ball first and Davies was forced into a foul.
Red card.
Liverpool had already used all of their substitutes.
So who was going in goal?
Mor Talla Ndiaye.
A centre-back becomes goalkeeper
With no goalkeeper available, Ndiaye pulled on the gloves and took up his new temporary position.
And incredibly, he even managed to make a save.
For a few minutes, Liverpool had a centre-back protecting their goal in a Merseyside derby.
You couldn’t make it up.
But the drama wasn’t finished.
Everton’s Graham was also sent off after a late fracas, while Upton was shown a yellow card as tempers boiled over.
Eventually, the final whistle arrived.
Everton U21s 1-1 Liverpool U21s.
Lucky impresses
Wellity Lucky was named The Kopite View’s Man of the Match after another committed performance at centre-back.
Despite taking some heavy challenges, he continued to compete and showed plenty of determination.
For academy players, these derby experiences can be hugely valuable.
They aren’t simply about technical ability.
They’re about handling pressure, physicality and emotion.
And this was certainly a test of all three.
A point and plenty of positives
Liverpool won’t be particularly thrilled with the result, but there were plenty of positives.
Wright got on the scoresheet.
Danns returned to action.
Lucky impressed despite taking some punishment.
And Ndiaye can now officially add emergency goalkeeper to his CV.
Most importantly, the youngsters experienced what a proper competitive derby feels like.
It was chaotic.
It was physical.
It was entertaining.
And perhaps most importantly, it was a reminder that Liverpool’s academy continues to produce players who aren’t afraid of a fight.
Everton 1-1 Liverpool.
Two red cards.
A goalkeeper sent off.
A centre-back in goal.
And a derby that had absolutely everything.
Jamie (The Kopite View)
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