By Daily Sports on February 22, 2018

Liverpool’s Under-19 coach and club legend Steven Gerard walked off a proud man on Wednesday night in Prenton Park, England, after his tough talk prior to his team’s game against Manchester United was followed by a solid display from his boys who won 2-0 to book a place in the quarter-finals of the EUFA Youth League.

Gerard had said Liverpool’s Under-19s “are in the wrong place” if they needed motivating to beat Manchester United, giving the age old rivalry between those clubs especially at the senior level, and the young lads duly showed great motivation with Wales international Ben Woodburn leading the show with an 11th minute opener and Rafa Camacho adding to the advantage.

Liverpool Echo reports that Liverpool started the game the brighter side with right winger Bobby Adekanye impressing greatly. Nigerian-born Adekanye is 19 years old and had started his youth football as a Barcelona player in the 2014/15 season.

With a last eight clash against Manchester City in the offing for the winner, Liverpool started the brighter of the two sides, and after 30 minutes deserved to be further ahead than the one goal managed.

That came after 11 minutes and it was a goal made in Wales. Right full-back Neco Williams lofted a cross into the box and captain Woodburn's header had just enough power to get past keeper Alex Fojticek and into the net.

Liverpool grew further in confidence and Bobby Adekanye’s mazy run into the box from the right flank ended with a lay-off to Liam Millar but his effort was blocked.

A rare United corner almost brought a chance – but it was for Liverpool.

Adekanye released Millar, who used his pace to get into the box and set up the influential Herbie Kane. His blocked shot fell to Curtis Jones whose powerful shot was too high.

It wasn’t up to 20 minutes when Jones almost latched on to a short back pass while Lee O’Connor had to block a goal-bound volley from Kane after Adenaye’s cross was palmed away by Fojticek.

There were barely five minutes left in the first period when United finally stirred.

Ethan Laird produced a good cutback on the right and Dutch youth international Tahith Chong met it perfectly but the bar denied him.

Josh Bohui then cut inside Williams but chose to shoot with team-mates better placed and it was too high.

Liverpool were still lively though and Elijah Dixon-Bonner's deflected shot beat Fojticek and again was stopped only by the crossbar.

The second half was initially much more even with United showing their intent virtually with the restart with Barlow’s shot warming the hands of Grabara.

The Polish keeper almost gifted United a way back into the game as he delayed a clearance and was dispossessed. Conor Masterson spared his blushes by blocking Chong’s shot.

Dixon-Bonner shot over from the edge before Adekanye kept the ball himself after a good run instead of playing in Woodburn.

A brilliant run from Woodburn ended with him playing in Adekanye but the former Barcelona man was blocked out.

United began to come more into the game and apply some pressure.

A fine run from danger man Chong – who the Reds did well to keep so quiet – eventually came to nothing while a sliced Adam Lewis pass almost allowed Bohui to get in.

A square pass from Dixon-Boner was intercepted by Chong but he was denied by Masterson, who had a solid game alongside George Johnston at the heart of the defence.

Still United came, with a free-kick from Barlow headed on goal by Ro-Shaun Williams but was straight at Grabara while that man Chong fired narrowly wide with a

curling low shot.

Jones tried to release the pressure after being released by Millar but his left-foot effort was dragged across the face of goal but on 77 minutes Liverpool made the game safe.

Woodburn – who had been a bit quiet second half – controlled the ball well in midfield and released substitute Camacho down the right.

The Portuguese youth international cut in and unleashed a lovely strike from more than 20 yards which moved in the air and left Fojticek grasping at thin air.

That was game over and while United huffed and Liverpool threatened on the break, all the scoring was done.

Liverpool were into the quarter finals – and deservedly so.

Liverpool line-up: Grabara, Williams, Lewis, Johnston, Masterson, Dixon-Bonner, Kane, Woodburn (McAuley 89), Jones, Adekanye (Camacho 70), Millar (Clayton 82).

Man United line-up: Fojticek, Laird, Warren (Tanner 60), Williams, O’Connor (Burkhart 84), Garner (Bughail-Mellor, 84), Barlow, Gomes, Hamilton, Chong, Bohui.

•Photo shows Nigerian Bobby Adekanye celebrating after scoring a goal for Liverpool youth team.

Source Daily Sports

Posted February 22, 2018

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