Teenage goalkeeper Oscar Kelly enjoyed a memorable under-23s debut as Liverpool stalled Manchester City's march to the Premier League 2 title.
Kelly kept a clean sheet with the Reds continuing their improving form at this level with a goalless draw at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday evening.
The U23s have still only lost once since the turn of the year as they backed up last weekend's 7-1 home romp over Tottenham Hotspur with a solid defensive display against the runaway leaders, who are eight points clear of West Ham United at the top albeit having played two games more.
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Liverpool had chances during the game with Jack Bearne and Dom Corness threatening to snatch victory for the visitors.
Kelly, a 19-year-old goalkeeper who has been at the Academy since U9s and signed his first professional deal last September, has been regular on the bench at U18 and U23 level but hadn't previously featured in a competitive league game.
And coach Barry Lewtas was delighted with the contribution of the newcomer, and said: “Oscar was fantastic for us on his debut and made a couple of good saves. He did unbelievably well, his distribution was excellent and he made good decisions.
"It was a great experience for the boys to play at the Etihad and it was a really good game between two really good teams.
"We created some good chances, as did City, but I thought we built our play really well. In the second half we had to weather some good play from them but I thought we did it really well.
“We were a real threat all night, we got in behind them quite a bit and we could have won it right at the end when Dominic had a chance, but it wasn’t to be. I can’t fault any of the lads, there was a real contribution in what was a really good game of football.”
Liverpool U23s are next in Premier League 2 action a week on Sunday when they entertain Chelsea at the Academy (kick-off 2pm).
LIVERPOOL U23s (4-3-3): Kelly; Bradley (Corness 78), Williams, Koumetio (Quansah 66), Norris; Clarkson, Morton, Clayton; Bearne, Woltman, Balagizi (O’Rourke 69). Subs: Hewitson, Wilson.
