AcademyU21s match report: Liverpool lose to Man City after extra-time in PL2 play-off tie

Divin Mubama’s 107th-minute winner settled Friday night’s first-round tie at Joie Stadium in favour of the hosts, who will now meet Arsenal in the last eight.

Tommy Pilling had earlier equalised Mubama’s opener with a superb goal midway through the second half of an entertaining, close-fought game and the teams couldn’t be separated inside 90 minutes.

But City No.9 Mubama struck again moments into the second half of extra-time to send his side through to the next stage and end the young Reds’ season.

A confident start from Liverpool included Isaac Mabaya hitting the crossbar with an attempted cross at the end of a raiding run forward from right-back.

It was nip and tuck as City grew into the contest and Jaden Heskey glanced a header narrowly over before Mubama’s opportunism put them ahead.

Harvey Davies palmed Ashton Muir’s shot away but Mubama was in the right place at the right time to nod home the loose ball.

The visitors sought an immediate response and James McConnell’s low drive from just outside the penalty area was saved by City goalkeeper Spike Brits.

With Rio Ngumoha a menace on the left flank, the young Reds enjoyed a strong spell but the finishing touch was lacking and City led at the break.

Liverpool continued to push in search of an equaliser in the early stages of the second half and Pilling was unable to direct his header on target after Mabaya had surged to the byline and delivered.

Seconds later, Michael Laffey was unlucky to have a goal-bound effort deflected wide after being teed up by the unselfish Trey Nyoni.

City remained a threat, though, and should have doubled their advantage on the hour as Mubama struck the post from close range before Reigan Heskey missed when it looked easier to score from inside the six-yard box.

But, with 68 minutes gone, Barry Lewtas’ team drew level. Laffey sent in an excellent cross that Pilling chested down prior to swivelling and dispatching a controlled half-volley into the bottom corner.

The hosts dominated possession in the final 20 minutes but, a crucial Mabaya block aside, Liverpool comfortably held their opponents at arm’s length to ensure the tie went to extra-time.

City upped the tempo as the additional period got under way but the visitors stood firm defensively and ’keeper Davies remained untroubled.

Ryan McAidoo, freshly introduced from the home side’s bench, burst infield from the right and curled just over the bar, and the winger then delivered a fine cross that Mubama glanced wide.

However, the best opportunity of the first half of extra-time was Liverpool’s as three substitutes combined on the break.

Terence Miles strode forward and fed James Balagizi, who slipped in Keyrol Figueroa. The forward, though, could only slice wide as he bore down on Brits.

And that miss proved costly as, a couple of minutes later, another poacher’s finish from Mubama would decide the tie, as the striker calmly clipped in the rebound after Davies had parried McAidoo’s drive.

Late, late drama nearly ensued as Pilling was played in by Balagizi in the 121st minute, only for Max Alleyne to produce a last-ditch tackle as Liverpool’s season ended with a narrow defeat.

Team

Liverpool: Davies, Mabaya (Miles, 100), Pinnington, Nallo, Davidson, McConnell, Kone-Doherty, Nyoni, Pilling, Laffey (Figueroa, 87), Ngumoha (Balagizi, 75).

Unused subs: R. Trueman, Spearing.