Premier League 2

Liverpool U21 1 (McConnell 45’)

Leeds United U21 1 (Moore 30’)

Liverpool: Davies (GK), Davidson, Pilling, Pinnington, Nallo (C), Morton (Young 62’), Kone Doherty, McConnell, Morrison, Nyoni, Ngumoha (Balagizi 82’). Subs not used: Misciur (GK), Figueroa, Laffey.

Leeds: Mahady (GK), Douglas, Ferguson (Bird 46’), Monteiro, Debayo, Moore (Lopata-White 60’), Pickles (Richards 60’), Cresswell (C), Vincent, Chadwick, McDonald (Nfonkeu74’) Subs not used: Wood (GK).

Venue: Liverpool FC Academy

Referee: Michael Crusham

Booked: Morton, Pilling, Nyoni, Pinnington (Liverpool) Debayo, Douglas (Leeds)

Leeds United Under-21s were held to a draw in their final Premier League 2 encounter of the season, despite Kris Moore’s first half goal against Liverpool Under-21s away from home.

The hosts started the affair in lively fashion on Merseyside, conjuring up a couple opportunities in the opening five minutes with James McConnell and Kieran Morrison seeing their attempts blocked in succession.

Looking to capitalise on a fast opening to proceedings, Reds’ winger Trent Kone Doherty almost had an opportunity though the sliding Connor Ferguson intercepted the ball to prevent the home side having a sight of goal.

As the half progressed the Whites settled into the game nicely, choreographing some good opportunities themselves. The first came through Oliver Pickles who broke away from the Liverpool defence, unleashing a shot goalwards which was blocked by a red shirt.

Leeds thought they had fired themselves ahead from the resulting corner as Moore rose highest to power a header goalwards with Diogo Monteiro helping it on the way. Although celebrations were cut short as the linesman’s flag denied Scott Gardner’s side the lead.

The Reds responded as Kone Doherty created space, only to be denied by the strong hand of Rory Mahady who got down quickly to produce an expert save to keep proceedings level.

Full-back Ferguson and Rhys Chadwick were linking up well together down the left flank and crafting some intricate build up play which allowed the defender to bolt down the wing in pursuit of the midfielder’s flick on. An incisive cut back found Harvey Vincent though the forward was unable to break the deadlock.

With the Whites enjoying the share of possession and control of proceedings, an almost carbon copy of the disallowed goal saw the ball in the back of the Liverpool net once more. This time it counted!

Chadwick’s inviting looped delivery into the box saw Moore tower above the rest, powering a header into the back of the net to giving Leeds the lead on the half-hour mark.

Gardner’s side kicked on and searched for a second shortly after. Ferguson and Josh McDonald dissected their way through the opposition’s defence, creating space for Vincent to wind up for a strike, only for a last-ditch challenge denying United of a quick fire double.

James Debayo was the next to come close for the visitors. In familiar fashion from a corner, the centre-half broke free and nodded narrowly over the bar as the half time interval approached.

Seconds before referee Michael Crusham blew for the break, McConnell found a leveller for the hosts against the run of play, finding the corner with a low strike.

HALF TIME: Liverpool U21 1-1 Leeds United U21

Leeds emerged looking to build on what was a strong first half showing. Alfie Creswell did just that as his attempt at goal came agonisingly close to restoring United’s lead, stemming from a well-timed counterattack which caught Liverpool off guard with Pickles at the heart of the move.

Down the other end, Morrison rattled the post for the Reds, marking the start of what was to be a back-and-forth affair for the remainder of the tie.

Mahady ensured the scores stayed level after being called into action by Morrison who was finding his feet up front.

Despite the different opportunities for Liverpool, Mahady had all the answers asked of him. A fully outstretched leap allowed the keeper to tip Kone Doherty’s attempt past the post as he produced a high-quality save.

The Leeds shot stopper wasn’t the only one kept busy in the half, as opposite number Harvey Davies was also needed numerous times in quick succession for the home team.

The first denied a close-range attempt from Vincent whose shot on the end of a pinpoint Connor Douglas cross was somehow saved on the line, as well as Creswell’s goalwards attempt which was dealt with well from distance shortly after.

With the tie concluding, it was Mahady who produced the final heroics. Kone Doherty kickstarted the hosts’ counterattack in the dying seconds, teeing up Morrison one-on-one with the Scotland youth international whose outstretched leg secured a point in the final PL2 clash of the campaign.

Attention now turns to the National League Cup Final where Gardner’s side will face Sutton United for a shot at silverware.

FULL TIME: Liverpool U21 1-1 Leeds United U21