Liverpool hopes of European progress hang in balance after Real Madrid blow

Liverpool's hopes of qualification to the UEFA Youth League knockout stages were left hanging in the balance after defeat to Real Madrid on Wednesday afternoon. A goal after only three minutes was sufficient to consign a Reds' under-19 side to a 1-0 defeat against the Spanish side at the Academy in Kirkby.

Now with seven points from five games, Liverpool will need victory at Girona in a fortnight to guarantee their place in the latter stages of the competition. Barry Lewtats's side currently stand in 20th place with the top 22 of the 36-team league progressing.

Liverpool suffered a dreadful start when they fell behind after only three minutes to a Real Madrid side coached by former Reds right-back Alvaro Arbeloa.

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The home side failed to properly clear a Real Madrid attack, the ball was dropped over the defence and an unmarked Daniel Yanez scored on the turn.

The Reds struggled to gain a foothold in the opening quarter with Real Madrid dominating possession, although they didn't convert that into any clear-cut opportunities until Yanez struck a shot safely fielded by Liverpool goalkeeper Kornel Misciur on the half-hour.

The hosts slowly worked their way into the game with Trent Kone-Doherty the liveliest on the right flank, although he spurned a decent chance when hesitating after being found by Rio Ngumoha in the area, allowing Real Madrid goalkeeper Alvaro Gonzalez to save.

Ngumoha later wastefully dragged a shot wide when a loose ball fell to him 16 yards out before, from a Real Madrid counter, Victor Valdepenas was sent racing clear but Misciur did well to save.

The second half started in lively fashion. Michael Laffey had a lob headed off the line after DJ Esdaille won a challenge with keeper Gonzalez, who later saved a close-range header from Kone-Doherty after a Ngumoha cross.

At the other end, Misciur turned around a shot from Jesus Fortea, Jaime Barroso failed to properly connect with a header from a dangerous position and Yanez was narrowly wide from range.

With the game becoming stretched in the final 15 minutes, Real substitute Aimar Santiago drew another good stop from Misciur while Kieran Morrison was not far away with a curling free-kick from 25 yards.

Liverpool U19s conclude their UEFA Youth League first round at Spanish side Girona a week on Tuesday (kick-off 1pm).

LIVERPOOL U19s (4-2-3-1): Misciur; Esdaille (Young 60), Lucky, Nallo, Pinnington; Davidson, Laffey; Kone-Doherty, Nyoni, Ngumoha; Morrison. Subs: Hall, Bernard, O'Connor, Figueroa, Ahmed, Bradshaw, Sonni-Lambie, Pitt. BOOKING: Misciur, Pinnington.