Match report: Arsenal U-23s 1-4 Liverpool

1 - 4

WHAT HAPPENED

We suffered a disappointing 4-1 defeat against Liverpool on Friday night at Meadow Park.

We had the game's first real chance, Joel Lopez hitting the bar from 20 yards out after Miguel Azeez's initial effort was saved by Marcelo Pitaluga.

Our period of dominance continued as Marcelo Flores fired just wide after some good link-up with Omari Hutchinson.

Arthur Okonkwo was called into action to deny the visitors from taking the lead, getting down low to turn a header past the post after a dangerous in-swinging corner.

Liverpool found themselves in front shortly before the break, Jack Bearne working his way into the box before his wayward strike deflected favourably off Azeez and beyond Okonkwo.

We looked sharp after the restart and Flores again went close, cutting in from the left this time, but firing just over.

The away side doubled their advantage against the run of the play, Billy Koumetio heading past Okonkwo from close range following a corner.

Flores then got the goal his performance deserved, Hutchinson picking out our playmaker in the box who deftly lobbed the ball over the onrushing Pitaluga.

Our hopes of a comeback were dented moments later when Salah-Eddine Oulad M'Hand was shown a straight red card for a late challenge, much to the shock of his teammates.

The visitors restored their two-goal advantage through Conor Bradley, before scoring a fourth deep into stoppage time, Max Woltman finishing on the rebound after Okonkwo saved his initial effort.