Liverpool send strong European message after Bayer Leverkusen unable to cope

Liverpool came from behind to earn an impressive UEFA Youth League win over Bayer Leverkusen on Tuesday afternoon. Kieran Morrison, Carter Pinnington, substitute Keyrol Figueroa and Trent Kone-Doherty all found the target as a Reds' under-19s side secured a 4-1 triumph over their German opponents at the Academy in Kirkby.

In an entertaining encounter, the Reds were indebted to a number of good saves from goalkeeper Kornel Misciur having conceded an early penalty.

The result has moved Barry Lewtas's side on to seven points from four games and in a good position to quality for the play-offs - the top 22 in the 36-team league progress - with games against Real Madrid at home and Girona away to come.

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The Reds, though, suffered the worst possible start when they fell behind in only the fifth minute. After Montrell Culbreath was brought down by Misciur when running on to a throughball, Kerim Alajbegovic converted confidently from the spot.

Ranel Young, Trey Nyoni and Kone-Doherty all had strong runs into the area but Liverpool were unable to create any clear-cut chances in the opening half-hour despite long spells of possession. And Leverkusen were close to scoring again when Culbreath forced his way into the area too easily and saw his shot deflected on to the post by Misciur.

But Liverpool's persistence paid off in spectacular fashion on 36 minutes. Nyoni burst into the box, played a one-two with Morrison and then saw a shot blocked. The rebound dropped to Morrison on the edge of the area to smash home into the bottom corner.

Misciur was kept busy either side of the interval, twice saving well from Artem Stepanov and then denying Alajbegovic and Culbreath.

And the value of those stops became apparent on 57 minutes when, after Davidson had been fouled, the left-back picked himself up to cross to the far post where Liverpool's other full-back Pinnington headed powerfully home to put the home side ahead.

Leverkusen remained a threat on the counter but Liverpool grew in confidence going forward, and they made the game safe 15 minutes from time when substitute Figueroa, with practically his first touch, thumped home brilliantly into the top corner after good work by Rio Ngumoha.

Then, in the second minute of injury time, Kone-Doherty got the goal his performance deserved by smashing into the far corner having been sent sprinting down the right by Figueroa.

Liverpool are next in UEFA Youth League action on Wednesday, November 27 when they entertain Real Madrid (kick-off 2pm).

LIVERPOOL U19s (4-2-3-1): Misciur; Pinnington, Lucky, Nallo, Davidson; Laffey, Nyoni; Kone-Doherty, Morrison, Ngumoha (Bradshaw 88); Young (Figueroa 72). Subs: Hall, Bernard, O'Connor, Furnell-Gill, Ahmed, Sonni-Lambie. BOOKINGS: Kone-Doherty, Young.