ACADEMY: Failure to take chances is costly for Liverpool youngsters

Apr 15 2008 by Chris Wright, Liverpool Daily Post

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MISSED chances cost Liverpool under-18s dear as they finished their Premier Academy League season on a low point with a 1-0 defeat at Leeds United on Saturday.

Following on from a creditable 1-1 draw at north west section leaders Manchester City in last Wednesday, Hugh McAuley’s side ended a disappointing loss and finished in fifth position.

Liverpool dominated from the start but failed to take the opportunities that came their way.

Then five minutes in the second half a defensive error when Joe Kennedy could only head on a clearance to the Leeds striker, who scored what turned out to be the winner.

Liverpool had chances to equalise, but in the end they couldn’t make the breakthrough.

Coach McAuley said: “I wasn’t disappointed in the performance, but obviously the result. It was a decent performance and we controlled the game for long periods. We created good chances throughout the game, but we couldn’t put the ball in the back of the net. We paid the price eventually.

“The main thing is we created chances, but we didn’t take them.”

He added: “We finished fifth and your league position is a fair reflection. The team and individuals have made good progress, but results-wise things haven’t gone as well as we would have liked.”

“Eight of the team this season have been first years, that is under-17 player, who can all play next year.”

Last Wednesday captain Steve Irwin scored a superb 30-yard strike to give Liverpool a half-time lead. But an equaliser 10 minutes from the end saw Liverpool draw 1-1.

McAuley said: “It wasn’t a great game but we had chances to win it. Stevie scored a fantastic goal that deserved to be the winner so it was disappointing to concede a scrappy late goal.”

LIVERPOOL U18s (v Manchester City): Oldfield, Scott, O’Connor (Pepper 15, Della Valle 75), Metcalf, Kennedy, Irwin, Kacaniklic, Ajdarevic, Amoo (Pourie 60), Eccleston, MacKay-Steven. Subs: Burton, Roberts.

LIVERPOOL U18s (v Leeds United): Oldfield; Scott, Kennedy, Metcalf, Mackay-Steven; Pepper, Adjarevic (Roberts 80), Irwin, Kacaniklic; Eccleston, Amoo (Pourie 60). Subs: Kasami.