It was a cagey first-half display from both teams, with Liverpool and City having dangerous periods of possession without being able to create any clear-cut chances.
Brian Barry-Murphy’s young side were dealt with a double blow after the interval as two goals inside 15 minutes cemented victory for the hosts.
Trent Kone-Doherty and Rhys Williams scored past True Grant as Liverpool made their second-half dominance count and leave City walking away with defeat.
WHAT HAPPENED
There was a tense feeling to the game 10 minutes in, as both teams had periods on the ball while trying to figure each other out.
But it was our EDS who carved out the first attempt on target, which was calmly collected by Fabian Mrozek.
The hosts knew they could go fifth in the Premier League 2 table this afternoon with a victory. They moved up a gear, and forced Grant into a couple of saves before Stephen Mfuni was handed a yellow card, as Liverpool built up pressure.
City created a few half-chances of their own before half-time, but were forced into an early change as Emilio Lawrence was replaced by Alexis Tibidi.
We started the second-half like we ended the first, dominating the possession stats as we forced Mrozek into another save.
Despite our quick start to the half, it was Liverpool who made the breakthrough.
On the hour mark, Lewis Koumas played through Kone-Doherty, who remained calm and composed to finish past Grant and give the home side the lead.
It was one-way traffic after the opening goal, as the young Reds pushed us further back into our own half, and they capitalised on their pressure with a second.
This time it was Josh Davidson who played a pass through to Williams who made no mistake in placing the ball past the EDS keeper 15 minutes later to double their advantage.
HOW WE LINED UP
Brian Barry-Murphy selected True Grant to remain between the posts for this match, and he was protected by a back four of Michael Okeke, Mahamadou Susoho, Stephen Mfuni and Kane Taylor.
Jacob Wright shielded the defence in a deep lying midfield role, with Kian Breckin and Micah Hamilton pushing further forward in the engine room.
Josh Adam led the attacking line, with Emilio Lawrence and Joel Ndala positioned on the wings.
Liverpool Under-21s
XI | Mrozek, Davidson, Doherty (83’ Mabaya), Gordon, Koumas (87’ Frauendorf), Laffey, Miles, Nallo, Pinnington, Spearing, Williams
Subs | Furnell-Gill, Kelly, Pennington
Manchester City EDS
XI | Grant, Okeke, Susoho, Mfuni, Taylor, Wright (46’ Smith), Lawrence (41’ Tibidi) (77’ Sodje), Breckin, Adam, Hamilton (C), Ndala
Subs | Murray-Jones
WHAT’S NEXT
Our EDS have a three week break, before travelling to the east midlands to face Leicester City in the Premier League 2.
Kick-off is scheduled for Monday 8 April at 19:00 (UK).
Next Fixture
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