Liverpool vs Huddersfield Town B

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Date: 13/09/2020

Score: 1-1

Ground: Anfield

The B team had just played Liverpool U23s in their inaugural match last Monday, losing 4-0. All 4 goals came in the last 12 minutes, so a repeat of this showing would not have been off the cards especially considering Town were playing against 5 Champions League Winners with Adrian, Joel Matip, Xherdan Shaqiri, James Milner, Takumi Minamino and Divock Origi all starting for the reds on Sunday.
Town started very brightly with Jaden Brown shooting just wide after a pass from Patrick Jones sent him through on the Liverpool goal. Just before half time Liverpool's January signing Takumi Minamino opened the scoring from close range after a cross which left Joel Pereira with no chance. At half time, Loris Karius, Harry Wilson and Rhian Brewster were introduced, which looked like they were condemning the young Town side to defeat.
In the 78' this all changed, Micah Obiero cleared a Liverpool corner to Town's 17 year old Frenchman Brahima Diarra who passed the ball to Welsh U17 international Patrick Jones who ran down the right before crossing the ball into Kian Harratt who looked like was going to stroke the ball home until a Liverpool defender flicked the ball into the Liverpool goal.
The game ended 1-1 and although Town were unable to snatch a winner, it was a brilliant result against a side that had 237 senior international caps between them and one U17 World Cup winner and a result that gives me great hope for the Academy going forward.
It was great to see the link between the B and First Team taking shape as First Team coaches Paul Clements and Narcís Pelach both joining B team boss Danny Schofield on the touchline. The role that Pelach is doing at the club is a slight variation on what Carlos Corberan was doing at Leeds United - First Team coach who also coaches academy games, meaning he has good knowledge of the academy to help bring through players into the first team when needed.
The 'B' Team's next fixture is this Saturday (19/09/2020) against newly promoted National League side Altrincham at PPG Canalside.

Town Team:

Starting 11: Joel Pereira, Jaden Brown, Romoney Crichlow, Rarmani Edmonds-Green (46’ Mustapha Olagunju), Ilounga Pata, Josh Austerfield, Brahima Diarra, Matty Daly (60’, Kian Harratt), Patrick Jones, Micah Obiero, Aaron Rowe (46’, Sam Sharrock-Peplow)
Subs: Giosue Bellagambi, Nicholas Bilokapic, Myles Bright, Mustapha Olagunju, Sam Sharrock-Peplow, Kian Harratt
Formation: 433