Harsh lesson for youngsters

As they lay tired and dejected on the Anfield turf yesterday afternoon Liverpool’s youngsters were left coming to terms with one of football's harsh realities.

You don't always get what you deserve.

The Reds' FA Youth Cup dream was ended in heartbreaking fashion at the quarter-final stage after an extraordinary clash with Manchester United which ended with both sides down to nine men.

For the best part of an hour Rodolfo Borrell's side were completely dominant. To the delight of a 10,000-strong crowd, Adam Morgan's double had put the hosts 2-0 up and firmly on course for a last four meeting with Chelsea.

Just like their senior counterparts seven days earlier, United had been comprehensively outplayed and outfought.

However, one defensive lapse saw the contest turned on its head as Stephen Sama was dismissed for a professional foul.

United's Paul Pogba soon followed in bizarre circumstances but Larnell Cole reduced the deficit from the spot and Ravel Morrison equalised before grabbing an 86th-minute winner.

Liverpool's cause wasn't helped by some baffling refereeing from David Coote and the flurry of red cards continued late on when Reds skipper Conor Coady and United's Tyler Blackett were sent off.

Before the game Borrell had insisted developing players capable of stepping up to the first team was his priority rather than silverware.

Of course the Spaniard - who helped hone the skills of stars such as Lionel Messi and Cesc Fabregas during his time at Barcelona - is right, but there's no question this defeat against their bitter rivals hurt.

Having notched nine successive wins and plundered a remarkable 55 goals in 15 games, there was a growing confidence the current crop could go all the way and clinch Liverpool's fourth FA Youth Cup.

Those hopes were dashed but this talented squad must channel the hurt and pain from this defeat into proving they are good enough to make the grade at Anfield. It's a team packed with potential.

Borrell made two changes from the side which thrashed Southend 9-0 in the last round. Brad Smith replaced the injured Jack Robinson at left-back, while Andre Wisdom started in the centre of defence in place of Matthew McGiveron.

Raheem Sterling rose to national prominence after his five-star heroics against Southend and the 16-year-old winger showed once again why Liverpool were so keen to sign him from QPR a year ago.

Inside two minutes the Rainhill High schoolboy embarked on a surging run before he was cynically upended on the edge of the box by Pogba, who was booked.

From the ensuing free-kick Suso saw his curling effort pushed behind by keeper Sam Johnstone.

With Sterling and Suso shining down the flanks, United found themselves firmly on the back foot.

Spanish starlet Suso forced another save from Johnstone and then turned provider for Wisdom with a pin-point delivery which the big defender nodded on to the roof of the net.

The desire and commitment of Borrell's youngsters was clear from front to back. Striker Morgan worked tirelessly to close down an overworked United backline, while skipper Coady stamped his authority on the midfield battle.

The central defensive duo of Wisdom and Sama looked rock solid and the only serious threat to Tyrell Belford's goal was a long range strike from Ravel Morrison which flew narrowly over.

Liverpool couldn't maintain the quality and tempo of their early burst but continued to carve out the clearer chances.

Midway through the half Sterling picked out Suso in the box but Johnstone saved with his legs.

The breakthrough the Reds deserved finally arrived in the 33rd minute. It was a great move and once again Sterling was heavily involved as he released Morgan who kept his cool to fire past the keeper.

It was the Halewood youngster's 10th goal in his last 10 games and he dropped to his knees to celebrate in front of the packed Kop.

United responded to that setback and it took a fine tackle from the impressive Wisdom to deny Pogba.

Having switched to the right, Sterling continued to wreak havoc and almost made it 2-0 four minutes before the break. He latched on to Coady's clever pass and raced into the box but Johnstone parried his shot to safety.

The Reds started where they left off after the interval and in the 53rd minute doubled their tally as Smith's dangerous cross from the left was gleefully converted at the back post by Morgan.

The England Under-17 international savoured his 14th goal of the campaign as he ran behind the net to remind United's travelling support how many European Cups stand proudly in the Anfield trophy cabinet.

Liverpool were cruising but with Alex Ferguson watching on from the directors box the tie took a dramatic twist.

Three minutes after Morgan had struck his second, United's Ryan Tunnicliffe capitalised on some indecision at the back as he was allowed to sneak on to a long ball through the centre.

Sama was adjudged to have upended him in the box and saw red off for a professional foul.

It that was cruel on the young defender, what followed was simply baffling.

Pogba took the penalty but stopped when he got to the ball and with Belford having committed himself rolled it into the net.

Coote ordered a retake and booked Pogba for unsporting behaviour. The official belatedly realised he had already taken the young Frenchman's name in the first half and flashed the red card.

With the sides having been swiftly evened up, Cole made no mistake with the retaken spot-kick.

Suddenly, the momentum was with United and in the 62nd minute they were level when Morrison swept home Cole's cross.

Liverpool looked shell-shocked but they recovered and with the contest getting increasingly scrappy extra-time was looming.

However, there was a late twist in the tale as with four minutes to go Morrison's volley flew into the bottom corner. There was no way back and tempers flared with Coady and Blackett both dismissed after shoving each other off the ball.

It was a sad end to an afternoon which had started so promisingly.

LIVERPOOL: Belford, Flanagan, Wisdom, Sama, Smith, Suso (Ngoo 88), Coady, Roddan (McGiveron 63), Sterling, Morgan (Silva 74), Adorjan. Not used: Stephens, Mukendi.

MANCHESTER UNITED): Johnstone, Keane, Thorpe, Fornasier, Blackett, Tunnicliffe, Cole, Pogba, Van Velzen (McGinty 90), Morrison, Lingard (Lawrence 74). Not used: Massacci, Coll, Barmby.

GOALS: Morgan (33, 53); Cole (58 pen), Morrison (63, 85).

CARDS: Booked - Flanagan, Wisdom; Johnstone, Morrison, McGinty. Sent off - Sama, Coady; Pogba, Blackett.

REFEREE: David Coote.

ATTENDANCE: 10,199.

Source: Liverpool Echo

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