Bobby Duncan scored a speculative equaliser five minutes from the end of normal time to keep Liverpool's FA Youth Cup dreams alive against Manchester City tonight before the young Reds took full advantage from twelve yards half an hour or so later.
Whilst their senior sides are locked in a tit-for-tat battle at the front of the Premier League title race, the U-18 representatives from both club's couldn't be separated at City's Academy Stadium tonight with Duncan's superb strike drawing the Merseysiders level after Nabil Touaizi had put the home side in front on the stroke of half-time.
📸 Nabil Touaizi
🏆 #FAYouthCup
🔵 #mancity pic.twitter.com/9Mr0vC9FaK— Manchester City (@ManCityCatala) April 25, 2019
Gareth Taylor's side looked set for victory before 17-year-old Duncan, who is a cousin of Liverpool great Steven Gerrard and was on the books of the Cityzens until a contract dispute saw him move to Anfield, picked up the ball thirty yards from goal before unleashing a left footed shot that deceived City stopper Louie Moulden.
Bobby Duncan's long-range equaliser. 🙌 #FAYouthCup
🎥 @btsportfootball pic.twitter.com/keABtAd2B7— Liverpool FC (@LFC) April 25, 2019
With both teams failing to find a winner during extra time, a penalty shootout would ensue.
Neco Williams put Liverpool in front before Felix Nmecha put the Manchester club on par, but after Elijah Dixon-Bonner had edged the Reds back in front, City substitute Cole Palmer rattled the bar.
It would be an advantage Barry Lewtas side wouldn't relinquish as Abdi Sharif and Jack Bearne each successfully converted their spot kicks, leaving it all set up for captain Paul Glatzel to seal it for the visitors.
Liverpool have won the FA Youth Cup 🏆
Great scenes at the end of the penalty shoot-out! 👏🙌 pic.twitter.com/c4wt2B0xCT— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) April 25, 2019
And seal it he did, his left-footed effort finishing high past the despairing dive of Moulden, sparking jubilant celebrations.
It's the Scouser's first title since 2007 when Jay Spearing captained the side to victory over Manchester United. They look set to complete a league and cup double as the lead the U-18 Premier League by two points and could seal the title next Tuesday night when they return to the Academy Stadium to take on tonight's opponents.
