Saric Strike Sinks Crewe

Nikola Saric struck a late winner as Liverpool Reserves continued their fine form with a 1-0 friendly success against Crewe on Tuesday afternoon.

The Danish striker cut in on his left foot and unleashed a low drive into the far corner on 84 minutes as a young second-string side edged out the Railwaymen in front of the watching Kenny Dalglish.

The Reds had gone into the contest without a number of regulars and boss John McMahon used the occasion to give a first start to Conor Thomas.

The 17-year-old, who is on loan from Coventry City until the end of the season, gave a good account of himself and looked a composed figure throughout what proved to be a hard-fought encounter in Kirkby.

The visitors had named a relatively strong starting XI for the contest and it was no surprise when they almost took the lead inside six minutes.

A ball into the box found French trialist Marc-Andre Manga in space but his goalbound shot was well blocked by Andre Wisdom, who looked solid on what was his first start since recovering from a serious knee injury.

Next, Manga broke free of Emmanuel Mendy on the left side of the Liverpool area and as the defender attempted to get back he caught the Crewe forward's heels, leaving the referee with no option but to point to the penalty spot.

Up stepped Antoni Sarcevic, but his low shot was brilliantly saved by Martin Hansen in the home side's goal.

The Faroe Island's U21 international, Rogvi Poulsen then crashed a shot way off target before Hansen was again forced into action when he got down well to block Manga's drive following a clever pass from Sarcevic.

Liverpool had rarely threatened but they did carve out a decent chance just after the half hour mark when Saric glanced Brad Smith's searching cross just wide.

With half-time approaching it was the Railwaymen who were again wasteful in front of goal as Poulsen smashed an 18 yard shot off target after he had looked certain to score.

At the interval McMahon replaced Hansen with Brad Jones, while Karl Clair, Jakub Sokolik, Tom King and Henoc Mukendi were also introduced.

The changes almost paid immediate dividends when Saric put Clair in on goal, but the youngster dragged his effort across the face of goal.

Crewe responded and were unlucky to see Sarcevic's low shot crash back off the post.

Defences were clearly on top but Mukendi almost changed that with a rasping shot that shook the stanchion.

Steven Irwin was the next to show, teasing two defenders before thrashing an effort just wide of Steve Phillips' left-hand post.

It was becoming more and more evident that one goal would be decisive and the away side again came close when Joel Grant cut in from the left and fizzed a shot against the post that had Jones beaten all ends up.

Michael Roberts then tested Phillips with a blockbuster from distance before Saric won it six minutes from the end when he cut in from the right and fired a low shot into the far corner.