Congratulations to Liverpool’s youth side after they heroically made it through to the final of the FA Youth Cup. Memories of Istanbul came to the fore with Southampton taking Liverpool all the way to penalties. The first leg had ended 2-1 to Liverpool and that was the scoreline at St Mary’s at the end of ninety minutes last night. 3-3 on aggregate meant extra time, where each side scored one more goal each, making it 3-2 on the night to Southampton and 4-4 on aggregate. No away goals rule in this competition and so the youngsters had to face the the inevitable penalty shoot-out.
It was David Roberts in goal for the youngsters and he was just as important to his team-mates as Jerzy Dudek was last May in Turkey. His save meant the Reds won the shootout 5-4.
The side is made up of a mixture of players from the Reds’ Academy and also younger members of the reserve squad from Melwood. Their opponents for the final will be discovered next Thursday when Manchester City host Newcastle United – City are ahead 3-2 from the first leg.
For reports on the game from different perspectives see:
Liverpool FC official site.
Southampton FC official site.
The FA website.
Southampton: Zach Jones, Jamie Hatch (Cedric Baseya, 105), Gareth Bale, Jake Thomson, Oliver Lancashire, Nathan Dyer, Aristoles de Carvalho (Jamie White, 56), Lloyd James (capt), David McGoldrick, Adam Lallana, Josh Dutton-Black.
Unused subs: Joel Speight, Michael Byrne, Luke Douglas
Liverpool: David Roberts, Stephen Darby (capt), Robbie Threlfall, Jack Hobbs, Godwin Antwi, Charlie Barnett, Paul Barratt, Ryan Flynn (Miki Roque, 96), Craig Lindfield (Michael Nardiello, 83), Paul Anderson (James Ryan, 77), Adam Hammill.
Unused subs: Michael Burns, Josh Mimms.
Referee: P Crossley
Attendance: 9,134