Derby Draw For U18s

An injury-time equalizer denied Liverpool U18s victory in the Academy derby on Saturday morning as they were held to a 1-1 draw by Everton at Finch Farm.

Matty Regan fired the visitors into the lead midway through the first half from the penalty spot after Raheem Sterling had been brought down inside the box.

Everton saw three chances cleared off the line as they pushed for an equalizer, but Sterling had a golden opportunity to wrap up the three points saved by goalkeeper James Fitzgibbon late on.

And the Blues clinched a point deep into stoppage-time when Chris Long pounced on a lose ball inside the box and tucked home to ensure the contest ended all square.

Mike Marsh handed Sterling his first Academy start of the season as his young side went in search of a result to emulate their senior colleague's triumph at Goodison Park last weekend.

And Liverpool certainly began the brighter of the two sides in the mid-morning drizzle at Finch Farm as the visitors set about dominating possession.

However, it was Everton who fashioned the more threatening early chances and Anton Forrester should have done much better when sent one-on-one with Tyrell Belford but the striker got the execution of his attempted lob all wrong and the ball bounced harmlessly wide.

Then Jake Bidwell was left clutching his head in his hands after seeing an aerial effort from a corner cleared off the line.

Everton were left further frustrated on the 20-minute mark when Chris Long burst into the box only to be thwarted by a fine challenge from Lewis Hatch. The ball broke kindly for Hallam Hope, but with the goal at his mercy, Brad Smith somehow managed to divert off the line.

The hosts were almost made to pay for their profligacy soon after when David Moli's powerful run into the area resulted in his effort being hacked off the line.

But Liverpool did take the lead on 34 minutes when Tyias Browning was adjudged to have brought down Sterling inside the left channel of the box.

Regan stepped up to do the honours from the penalty spot and made no mistake in dispatching into the back of the net.

Everton began the second half positively and only the post denied John Lundstram a leveller when his 25-yard drive cannoned against the woodwork nine minutes after the re-start.

The Blues continued to toil as they looked to restore parity and Hope clipped a free-kick over with time ticking away. At the other end, Sterling danced his way into a shooting position only to slice wide of the post.

Back came Everton and Jordan Barrow's seemingly goalbound header was deflected off the line by Peter Alymer with Belford beaten.

Sterling should have put the result beyond doubt when he went clean through on goal but his low effort was blocked by the hand of Fitzgibbon.

Liverpool were made to pay for the miss when Chris Long netted deep into injury time to salvage a point for the Blues.