Barry Lewtas’ Liverpool U23s side kicked off the new Premier League 2 season with a stalemate against reigning champions Manchester City at Kirkby.
However, for Liverpool, when the performance is analysed and dissected over the upcoming week, the 0-0 draw will be viewed as a point gained rather than two dropped.
And the new new season offered Lewtas the chance to work with fresh faces, with players like Mateusz Musialowski being handed their full Premier League 2 debuts.
It was a frantic start to proceedings at Kirkby, with the weather conditions hindering either side from gaining a foothold in the game.
Elijah Dixon-Bonner had the Reds’ best opportunity of the first half after he showed fantastic trickery to work an opening for himself inside the left-hand side of the box. However, his effort, that looked destined for the far bottom corner, was equalled by Cieran Slicker in the City goal.
The home side would be starved of chances for the remainder of the half as they fell victims to the Citizens’ excellent possession-based game.
Tom Clayton was the standout defender for the Reds on the day and was largely responsible for his side's clean sheet. Starting off when he snuffed out Luke Bolton’s low-driven cross just moments before half-time to ensure that Lewtas’ men would go into the interval level.
Early second half efforts from Cole Palmer, Luke Bolton and Oscar Bobb may have sent the away side into an uncatchable lead, but Liam Hughes was the hero for the home team as he ensured it remained goalless.
With Just over 20 minutes to go, Musialowski had Liverpool’s best, and final meaningful, chance of the game after he was played one-on-one with Slicker. However, the Polish starlet was unable to sneak his effort under the City’s No.1 who made himself abnormally large.
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Tom Clayton
As Liverpool begin to digest the result of Sunday’s fixture over the coming days, all eyes with fall onto Clayton, the captain, as Lewtas and his team look to take positives from a gruelling clash with the champions.
Clayton, donning the captain’s armband for the fixture, was extremely impressive for the young Reds as he marshalled Billy Koumetio, Tony Gallacher and Jay Norris to the perfect start to the season, from a defensive standpoint.
Blessed with a wonderful left-foot, Clayton was able to soak up City’s pressure before displaying his eye, and ability, for a pass with the killer break away ball out to either flank.
His progress will certainly be one to keep an eye on over the upcoming season.
Mateusz Musialowski
Musialowski is one of the few youngsters whose name will be familiar with Reds fans all over.
The 17-year-old Polish forward exploded onto the scene last season with Marc-Bridge-Wilkinson’s U18s, following a move from his native country.
And following those impressive outings last season, Musialowski was handed his first start in the Premier League 2.
Although he was deployed in the less familiar role of centre-forward, donning the No.9 shirt, the teenage talent was able to show his quality, even if attacking opportunities were few and far between.
On Sunday afternoon, though, he often found himself dropping deeper into the pockets of City’s defence as he searched for spaces to receive the ball.
After the game, Lewtas alluded to Musialowski’s new-found versatility as something all forward players should have, especially if they have aspirations of featuring in Jurgen Klopp’s first team.
Elijah Dixon-Bonner
Many may have been surprised to see Dixon-Bonner featuring for the U23s side this season, that is, of course, following his trial with Football League side Portsmouth earlier in the summer.
Despite it looking like the midfielder’s future lay away from Liverpool, and more specifically Kirkby, only a few months ago, the midfielder more than held his own against one of the most star-studded line-ups available in youth team football.
Big, strong and athletic, Dixon-Bonner was able to win the ball with ease and carry his team up the pitch as they looked to escape the suffocation City had imposed on his side.
Given how well City were able to keep possession, for large parts of the game, Dixon-Bonner ensured his side remained organised and disciplined throughout as he guaranteed his side a share of the spoils.
