LIVERPOOL RESERVES suffered their first defeat in almost a year last night, going down 2-1 at Sunderland in the Barclays FA Premier Reserve League North.
Sunderland were the last side to beat Liverpool when they inflicted the only defeat suffered by Gary Ablett’s side in the whole of last season.
They could have no complaint about this result, as they were second best throughout and but for an excellent display from keeper Dean Bouzanis the margin of victory would have been greater.
The young Aussie keeper made two great saves inside the opening 10 minutes, and produced several more throughout the game. In attack Liverpool offered little, despite the hard work of David N’Gog, who put himself about with very little support.
A Dani Pacheco free-kick that was clawed away from the top corner by Sunderland keeper Colgan was the closest Liverpool came to a goal in the opening half.
El Zhar and N’Gog both volleyed wide in the second half, before Sunderland went in front through Michael Chopra, who finished smartly after Kavanagh’s shot came back of the post. Liverpool hit back quickly through El Zhar, but Sunderland substitute Luscombe headed the winner from a Chopra cross with five minutes to go.
SUNDERLAND RESERVES: Colgan, Kay, Liddle, Kavanagh, McArdle, Hartley, Henderson (Luscombe 83), Meyler, Chopra, Colback, Stokes (Downson 87).
LIVERPOOL RESERVES: Bouzanis, Darby, Insua, San Jose, Huth, Plessis, Pennant, Spearing (Brouwer 71), N’Gog, Pacheco (Flynn 59), El Zhar.
