AcademyU21s match report: 10-man Liverpool denied late by Southampton
Liverpool U21s were denied a valiant victory by a late goal in a 1-1 draw with Southampton on Sunday afternoon.
Rob Page's team took a 20th-minute lead against former Red Adam Lallana's hosts courtesy of Tommy Pilling.
The dismissal of Amara Nallo soon after meant they played three-quarters of the contest a man down, however.
And Saints got back on terms right at the end as Nicholas Oyekunle scored from the penalty spot.
There were few attempts in the early stages at Silverlake Stadium, with Nallo sending a headed effort wide from a corner.
The Reds took the lead midway through the half, though, with a sweet team move.
Pilling provided the breakthrough by finding the bottom corner with a clinical header having arrived inside the box to meet a lofted Kieran Morrison cross.
Keyrol Figueroa and Sufianu Sillah Dibaga saw attempts saved at either end before Liverpool were reduced to 10 players as Nallo was shown a straight red card for a high-footed sliding challenge.
Page responded by sacrificing Trent Kone-Doherty from his attack and introducing Noah Adekoya into the gap in defence.
Goalkeeper Armin Pecsi made several saves as Saints tried to take advantage of their personnel supremacy immediately afterwards.
There was a double intervention from the Hungarian to keep out Joe O'Brien-Whitmarsh and Oyekunle.
Pecsi also tipped the ball over the crossbar as an Adekoya clearance struck Aston Daley and looped back towards goal.
The same Southampton player pulled a low strike marginally wide of the left post just before the interval.
The home team were understandably in control of the majority of possession with the extra player.
But Liverpool's resolve meant chances for Southampton to equalise were limited as the second half wore on.
Indeed, they threatened to score again themselves as Michael Laffey and substitute Will Wright chased a bouncing ball into opposition territory.
Saints goalkeeper Oscar Abbotson rushed out and was perhaps fortunate to receive only a yellow card for halting the chance by clattering Laffey.
Pecsi produced another good stop down low to frustrate O'Brien-Whitmarsh and Wright swept up with an outstanding block tackle on the rebound.
Page's charges were moments from holding out when they conceded a spot-kick, Adekoya fouling Oyekunle after a scramble from a set-piece.
The Southampton player stepped up from 12 yards himself and dispatched into the right corner, despite Pecsi diving that way.
That forced a share of the points, although the Reds were close to regaining the lead before the end as Carter Pinnington glanced a header just wide from Clae Ewing's delivery.
Team
Liverpool U21s: Pecsi, Davidson, Pinnington, Nallo, Ewing, Kelly (Onanuga, 71), Morrison, Pilling, Figueroa (W. Wright, 55), Laffey, Kone-Doherty (Adekoya, 27).
Unused subs: Poytress, Bradshaw.
Next up
The U21s are back on home soil next weekend, hosting West Bromwich Albion in PL2.
Kick-off at the Kirkby Academy on Sunday February 15 is 2pm GMT and the game will be shown live on All Red Video.