Premier League 2
Leeds United 2 (McGurk 2’, Joseph 24’)
Liverpool 2 (Kone-Doherty 45’, Musialowski 67’)
Leeds: Christy (GK), Moore (C), Hjelde, Monteiro (Debayo 74’), Mullen, Bate, Carole (Douglas 58’), Gyabi (Snowdon 74’), Joseph, McGurk (Crew 63’), Allen. Subs not used: van den Heuvel (GK).
Liverpool: Pittaluga (GK), Miles, Davidson, Pinnington, Nallo, Pilling, Kone-Doherty (Gordon 60’), Hill (C), Musialowski (Cannonier 90’), Glatzel, Koumas. Subs not used: K. Kelly (GK), O. Kelly.
Venue: LNER Community Stadium, York
Attendance: 666
Referee: M. Cusham
Booked: Allen, Crew (Leeds) Pittaluga (Liverpool)
Leeds United Under-21s returned to action at the LNER Community Stadium in York for a second time in a week. After a midweek win over Hertha BSC Under-21s in the Premier League International Cup, Michael Skubala’s side were now in league action.
Taking on Liverpool, the Whites knew it would be a challenge against a side who had lost just one of their opening six matches and were inside the top six in the league standings.
Starting quickly, Skubala’s side took just two minutes to take the lead. Mateo Joseph won the ball high up the pitch and quickly found Sean McGurk in space. The inform forward composed himself, before delicately curling into the far corner of the net with the outside of his right foot.
Leeds were largely in control of the match from that moment and went on to dominate the chances as well. Keenan Carole tested Marcelo Pittaluga twice in the Liverpool net, whilst Darko Gyabi fired just over from the edge of the box.
In the 24th minute, the pressure would pay off, as Leeds found a second in the match. It came from a free-kick after Pittaluga had handled outside the area, for which the ‘keeper was shown a yellow card.
McGurk stood over the set-piece and whipped in a dangerous cross with pace on, which was pinpoint for Joseph to rise highest and flick home a header to double the lead.
Harry Christy then had work to do at the other end, tested for the first time by the visitors. Lewis Koumas drilled a low shot at goal, from which the ‘keeper tipped just wide.
McGurk then forced Pittaluga into two more strong saves before the break and the hard work from the Reds goalkeeper allowed his side to get back into the game.
Entering stoppage time, the away side pulled one back in fortuitous circumstances. Trent Kone-Doherty crossed from the right and it took a huge deflection, looping over Christy into the back of the net, to reduce the deficit just before the break.
HALF TIME: Leeds United 2-1 Liverpool
Back out for the second half, it would be the visitors who started strongly to this one, in contract to United’s quick opening to the first 45 minutes.
Christy was called into action early on, on more than one occasion. The ‘keeper denied Mateusz Musialowski first up, before Paul Glatzel then also stung the palms for the Leeds stopper.
Changes then followed on either side. For Leeds, Connor Douglas was introduced for Carole, whilst Kone-Doherty was replaced by Kaide Gordon.
Back down the away end, Pittaluga continued his fine game between the posts for the visitors. This time he denied Charlie Allen one-on-one, before then making another top save to deny Joseph.
With just over 20 minutes remaining, Liverpool levelled. Musialowski was able to pick the ball up on the edge of the box, before curling into the top corner and making it two apiece.
Both goalies continued to face shots, in an entertaining and end-to-end clash. Leeds went close again through substitute Joe Snowdon who forced another save, whilst both Darko Gyabi and Jeremiah Mullen shot wide when well placed.
In the final few moments, it would be the away side who then nearly won it. Gordon had two big opportunities but couldn’t find the target with either, meaning the full time whistle was blown and the points were shared.
FULL TIME: Leeds United 2-2 Liverpool
