Mateusz Musialowski struck a dramatic late winner as Liverpool earned mini-derby victory over Everton.
Musialowski struck in the fourth minute of injury time to secure a 2-1 U18 Premier League North win at the Academy in Kirkby on Saturday.
In a frantic finish to an engrossing game, Tom Cannon had netted a penalty only two minutes earlier to equalise Melkamu Frauendorf’s first-minute opener.
The result means Liverpool have now moved top of the table on goal difference ahead of Manchester United, who they entertain next weekend. The Reds, though, have played two games more.
Kenny Dalglish and Everton trio Marcel Brands, Leighton Baines and David Unsworth were all in attendance to watch a hard-fought derby in sunny conditions.
And they didn’t have to wait long for the opener, which arrived after just 28 seconds.
It owed everything to the strong running of Frauendorf, who drove down the left flank and into the area beyond two defenders before thrashing a shot that Everton goalkeeper Zan-Luk Leban parried back into the path of the Liverpool man, who reacted quickly to head home.
The Blues responded well and, after home goalkeeper Fabian Mrozek fouled Cannon just outside the area, Charlie Whittaker thumped the resultant free-kick against the crossbar.
An open first half saw chances at both ends. The impressive Kaide Gordon, who had earlier received lengthy treatment after being on the end of a strong challenge, curled a free-kick narrowly wide while Musialowski got his header all wrong after good work by James Norris down the left.
Luke Butterfield and Sean McAllister threatened for Everton before Liverpool skipper Jarell Quansah did just enough to force Cannon to shoot wildly over at the far post.
The second half was a more feisty, scrappy affair with few clear-cut opportunities, Dom Corness and Gordon both firing at Leban.
But Everton levelled in the second minute of injury time when substitute Roman Quintyne was fouled by Lee Jonas and Cannon sent Mrozek the wrong way from the spot.
However, there was still time for Liverpool to launch one final attack down the left that ended with Norris finding lively substitute Tommy Pilling and his ball into the middle landed at the feet of Musialowski, who made space for a left-footed shot across Everton goalkeeper Leban.
Liverpool U18s are next in action in U18 Premier League North at home to Manchester United on Saturday (kick-off 11am).
LIVERPOOL U18s: Mrozek; Wilson (Ennis 74), Quansah, Jonas, Norris; Corness (Pilling 84), Gordon, Mabaya; Woltman, Frauendorf, Musialowski. Subs: Hewitson, Hayes-Green.
