LIVERPOOL under-18s let a two-goal lead slip in a 2-2 draw with Crewe Alexandra at the Kirkby Academy on Saturday.
Hugh McAuley’s side looked to be heading for their sixth win in seven when goals from Michael Collins and Nathan Eccleston put them in control. But two set-piece goals saw them grab a share of the spoils.
Eccleston hit his fifth goal of the season after 15 minutes from close range after good work by Sean Highdale and David Amoo.
Eccleston doubled the lead 10 minutes later with his first of the campaign getting on the end of Ben Parsonage’s cross. Amoo almost scored a third but his shot hit the upright.
Crewe pulled one back before half-time and despite Liverpool dominating almost all the first half, the second half was different.
Liverpool couldn’t quite keep their grip on the match and Crewe equalised with a free-kick into the top corner on 70 minutes.
McAuley said: “We started well, playing some excellent football. We passed the ball well, but in the second half we were very disappointing. We didn’t want the first half to end, then in the second we didn’t pass the ball, we lost our shape defensively. “We didn’t get into our rhythm. And all these things together gave them the initiative to equalise.
“It was very disappointing to lose two goals from set-pieces, although the second one was straight into the top corner which you can’t do anything about really.
“The first one we could have dealt with better. We do work on our set-piece routines and it was disappointing.
“We need to take the positives. In the first half there was good passing movements and Nathan (Eccleston) and David (Amoo) up front showed their pace and skill.”
Liverpool have the chance to get back to winning ways quickly tomorrow when they take on Sunderland in a rearranged fixture at the Kirkby Academy. They then face West Bromwich Albion also at home on Saturday (kick-off 11.30am).
German striker Marvin Pourie will complete his ban so will not be available until the derby match on November 3. Midfielder Gary Mackay-Steven and Alex Kacaklinic are both injured.
LIVERPOOL UNDER-18s: Bouzanis; Awang, Kennedy, Irwin, O’Connor; Parsonage, Highdale, Ajdarevic, Collins; Amoo Eccleston. Subs: Flanagan, Rudden, McGiveron.
