Liverpool suffer title setback as Man City land major blow

Liverpool's hopes of topping the Under-18 Premier League North were dealt a major blow by defeat at Manchester City.

The Reds, who had thumped Leeds United 10-3 last weekend, were beaten 3-1 at the City Academy on Thursday afternoon in a top-of-the-table clash.

Bobby Clark had drawn Liverpool level only for City to score twice in the closing quarter, leaving Marc Bridge-Wilkinson's side 10 points behind their opponents albeit with a game in hand.

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City started strongly and went ahead after only five minutes when Will Dickson netted after capitalising on a deflected low cross.

Clark had a penalty shout waved away and Mateusz Musialowski was twice hounded out before Liverpool levelled four minutes before the break, James Balagizi playing a throughball which Clark raced on to and converted.

Both sides had chances in a lively period after the break with Oakley Cannonier unable to capitalise when the Reds pressured the home defence into a mistake inside their own area.

Less than two minutes later, City were ahead midway through the second half when Kian Breckin converted after a scramble. And as Liverpool pushed for an equaliser, substitute Daniel Ogwuru made the game safe shortly after coming on.

Liverpool are next in U18 Premier League North action on Tuesday when they visit Wolverhampton Wanderers (kick-off 2pm).

Hewitson; Osborne, Jonas, Chambers, Scanlon; Stephenson, Pilling, Balagizi (McConnell 90); Clark, Cannonier, Musialowski (Frauendorf 72). Subs: Mrozek, Koumas, Gyimah.