[article]The Kirkby Academy was the scene of a thriller on Thursday evening as Liverpool U21s were narrowly defeated 4-3 by Manchester City after a match filled to the brim with quality.
Despite battling back from a two-goal deficit and later launching a second comeback attempt, Michael Beale's charges were ultimately condemned to a maiden loss of the campaign.
The hosts had actually started the brighter and when a surging dribble by Ryan Kent brought the reward of a corner, Kevin Stewart was left unmarked from the subsequent delivery - but the defender directed his header too close to the goalkeeper.
Adam Phillips, making his debut appearance at this level, craftily released Sheyi Ojo with seven minutes on the clock, only for the young forward to follow Stewart in making life comfortable for the opposition stopper.
And the misses proved costly. Within a minute, City were in front courtesy of Thierry Ambrose, who capitalised on productive work by Brandon Barker along the left flank to tap home a simple finish at the back post with Danny Ward out of position.
It was 2-0 seconds later, as Sinan Bytyqi waltzed through the home defence and coolly planted a finish beyond Ward, doubling the visitors' advantage in the blink of an eye and leaving the previously unbeaten Liverpool with work to do.
Samed Yesil perhaps should have halved the deficit when he circled the 'keeper from another fine Phillips assist, but struck into the side-netting. At the other end, Ward had to be alert to thwart Olivier Ntcham before the break.
From the resumption, the young Reds wasted no time in mounting a fightback. Phillips had already hit the crossbar from distance before smashing home a finish from Joe Maguire's accurate cross on 48 minutes to reduce the arrears with his first U21s strike.
The same connection bore fruit moments later, creating Liverpool's and the 16-year-old's second of the evening. Again it was a delivery by the full-back and once more Phillips was composed to drive into the back of the net.
But back came the travellers - Mathias Bossaerts was grateful for Ashley Smith-Brown's cross to head past Ward, before an unstoppable turn and shot by Jordy Hiwula restored a healthy cushion for City.
With Yesil a constant menace to Patrick Vieira's team, there was still plenty to play for, particularly when the German striker found substitute Harry Wilson in behind and the Welshman notched with four minutes left to play to set up a grandstand finale.
Liverpool almost snatched an incredible draw too, but Ojo's thunderous blast from distance - which seemed destined for the corner - was stopped in expert fashion by Ian Lawlor to preserve the win for the away side.
Liverpool team: Ward, Randall (Wilson), Maguire, Stewart, Jones, Phillips (Cleary), Ojo, Lussey (Chirivella), Yesil, Brannagan, Kent. Unused substitutes: Fulton, Trickett-Smith.[/article]
Adam Phillips. 16 years old. Anyone seen him? I know he went on the pre-season tour. Is he a bit ace?
