AcademyYouth League match report: Liverpool U19s win 5-4 away at Eintracht Frankfurt

The sides equally shared six first-half goals at Sportpark Dreieich on Wednesday afternoon, with the young Reds recovering from 1-0 down to lead 2-1 through Trent Kone-Doherty and an own goal before Frankfurt scored twice in quick succession.

Josh Sonni-Lambie equalised just before the break and Rob Page’s team would go on to claim an impressive away win as Kone-Doherty put them ahead and Oliver O’Connor came off the bench to score.

Frankfurt’s Leonidas Tsikos would pull one back in stoppage time, but Liverpool resisted a late barrage to wrap up a victory that moves them onto seven points from three Youth League outings this season.

Frankfurt settled quickly and Noah Fenyo served an early warning of his prowess from long range as he shot narrowly wide from outside the area.

And, with nine minutes on the clock, the hosts went in front as Alexander Staff’s cross from the right was headed home by Keziah Oteng-Mensah.

Liverpool’s response was excellent, though, and they soon drew level via a brilliant team move.

Captain Trey Nyoni spread the play to Kieran Morrison, who cut inside onto his left foot and delivered a sensational pass into the path of Kone-Doherty. From there, the No.11 produced a fine first touch and finish.

Just a few moments later, the young Reds took the lead thanks in no small part to more superb play from Morrison.

This time, the Northern Ireland U21 international went on the outside and drove in a low cross with his right foot, which Frankfurt defender Derek Boakye Osei turned past his own goalkeeper.

An action-packed first half would again be turned on its head as Frankfurt scored twice in the space of a couple of minutes. Alessandro Gaul Souza equalised before Fenyo found the bottom corner from 20 yards.

But Liverpool clawed their way back on terms on the stroke of half-time when Sonni-Lambie converted the rebound after Morrison’s attempt had been saved.

The sides simply picked up where they left off after the break, with both continuing to show their attacking intent.

And it was the visitors who struck first in the second half with Morrison again heavily involved. The No.7 dropped deep to seize possession then strode towards goal.

His shot was blocked and the loose ball fell to Sonni-Lambie, who unselfishly slipped in Kone-Doherty. The forward calmly took a touch before blasting home into the roof of the net.

Typically of a game full of momentum swings, Frankfurt then enjoyed a strong spell but, crucially, it was Liverpool who scored the eighth goal of the afternoon as substitute O’Connor latched onto another decisive Morrison pass and finished low across the goalkeeper.

More chances came and went at both ends before Tsikos ensured it would be a nervy final few minutes.

Frankfurt duly piled on the pressure but were unable to force an equaliser and Page’s side could celebrate a dramatic victory.

Team

Liverpool: Hall, Cisse (Lee Forrester, 70), Pinnington, Ayman, Airoboma (Clarke, 85), Upton, Nyoni, Morrison, Kone-Doherty, Sonni-Lambie (O’Connor, 62), Figueroa (Bradshaw, 85).

Unused sub: M. Wright.

Next up

Liverpool’s next Youth League game is at home to Real Madrid on Tuesday November 4. The match at the Academy is scheduled to kick off at 2pm GMT.