Liverpool U19s began their UEFA Youth League campaign by drawing 2-2 with Atletico Madrid.
Goals from Mor Talla Ndiaye and Josh Sonni-Lambie saw the young Reds lead 2-0 at half-time of Wednesday afternoon’s game at the Kirkby Academy.
But Atletico responded strongly in the second period and Joel Sanchez pulled one back midway through the half, before Adrian Lis-Zielinski scored a last-minute equaliser.
Rob Page’s side so nearly still won an entertaining encounter, though, as Erik Farkas hit the post from distance with only seconds remaining.
Both teams’ No.9s – Atletico’s Miguel Llorente and Liverpool captain Will Wright – traded early attempts on goal, but it was the visitors who settled quickest.
Prince Cisse did superbly well to read the danger and clear off the goalline after Alvaro Vega had looked to capitalise on a mix-up at the back, before young Reds goalkeeper Bailey Hall made an excellent save to keep Atletico at bay.
But Liverpool grew into the contest and served warning of their own attacking threat when Joe Bradshaw drove inside off the right flank and let fly with his left foot from 20 yards. His attempt beat the visiting ’keeper but crashed back off the foot of the post.
And midway through the half, Bradshaw was the provider as Page’s team went ahead. The forward’s inswinging corner was headed home at the near post by Ndiaye.
Hall again made an important intervention to deny Gonzalo Gross with a fine stop and, just before the break, Liverpool extended their lead through Sonni-Lambie.
The No.10 showed his striker’s instincts by beating his marker to the ball prior to unleashing a powerful left-footed strike into the far corner.
Atletico made three substitutions at the interval and flew out of the traps upon the restart.
By the time their first goal arrived in minute 66, it had been coming. A fine finish it was, too, as Sanchez curled one into the top corner.
Atletico remained in the ascendancy as they sought the equaliser but the player who would eventually level the scores, Lis-Zielinski, had to make an excellent last-ditch tackle to thwart Wright as the Liverpool skipper looked to get in behind.
The hosts’ backs were firmly against the wall and, as the clock ticked down, it looked like their efforts would be rewarded with a hard-earned three points.
But, in the 90th minute, Lis-Zielinski fired in the second ball following a corner to restore parity.
There was very nearly yet more late drama at the other end when Liverpool substitute Farkas struck the woodwork in the final minute of stoppage time, but the spoils were shared on matchday one.
Liverpool: Hall, Conde (Yeguo, 72), Cisse, Ndiaye (Clarke, 90), Ayman, Upton, Eden (Murray-Holme, 72), Bradshaw (Huth, 81), O’Connor, Sonni-Lambie (Farkas, 81), W. Wright.
Unused subs: M. Wright, Coxon, Hickman.
Goals: Ndiaye (27), Sonni-Lambie (43).
The U19s are next in Youth League action away to LASK on Wednesday October 14, with kick-off at Voestalpine Stadion scheduled for 2pm BST.
