Post-Match Report

U21s report: Liverpool 1-1 Arsenal

Matt Smith

Liverpool U21 -

Liverpool FC Academy
Premier League 2 - Division One
Premier League 2 - Division One
  Liverpool U21
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Liverpool U21
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  Arsenal U21
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Arsenal U21

Our Under 21s were held to a 1-1 draw away on Merseyside on Saturday, while still maintaining our unbeaten record in Premier League 2.

Joel Ideho continued his stellar form, bagging our only goal from a first-half corner, but Liverpool came out fighting in the second half to even the score. 

The hosts were looking to extend their unbeaten run to six games in the league and started on top. In the first of many heroic stops, goalkeeper Hubert Graczyk made a vital early save with his feet after a close-range shot. 

We soon found our rhythm and came very close to scoring from a set piece after 20 minutes. The corner routine, straight from the training ground, saw Jack Henry-Francis whip a cross into the box and Nathan Butler-Oyedeji's looping header narrowly missed the target.

Our eventual breakthrough did come through another corner: a direct ball into the six-yard box dropped to Joel Ideho who slotted it home just before half-time. Immediately after the restart, Amario Cozier-Duberry nearly found the target after a through ball from Henry-Francis put him one-on-one with the Liverpool keeper at a tight angle. 

Our comfortable lead was put under significant pressure in the second half, as Liverpool raised the tempo. 20 minutes from time, they equalised through Harvey Blair following a quick counter-attack.

The misfortune continued as not long after the equaliser, Reuell Walters was judged to have brought down Oscar Kelly in the area and a penalty was given. But Liverpool's penalty was no match for Graczyk who dived low and denied them from the spot, roaring in delight to keep us in the game.

Graczyk had one more heroic moment in store before the final whistle, as his incredible double save from close-range ensured we returned to North London with a point. 

What it means

Next weekend, it's time for our Under-21s to tackle the North London Derby. We face Tottenham away on October 8, kick-off at 12pm UK time.

Team news

Starting XI: Graczyk (GK), Walters, Foran, Awe, Quesada-Thorn, Smith (C), Henry-Francis, Cirjan (72'), Cozier-Duberry, Ideho, Butler-Oyedeji (77')

Substitutes: Hillson (GK), Sousa, Ibrahim, Bandeira (72'), Sagoe Jr (77')

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