Liverpool opened their Premier League 2 campaign with a hard-earned 1-1 draw against Everton in the mini-derby at Goodison Park on Friday evening.
Will Wright scored for the Reds' under-21s on 14 minutes, but the home side levelled within four minutes when Jack Patterson turned in a cross from the right from George Finney.
Rob Page's side played the final stages with 10 men and centre-back Mor Talla Ndiaye in goal after keeper Harvey Davies was dismissed on 87 minutes for upending Everton substitute Justin Clarke outside the area. Shortly afterwards, Braiden Graham also saw red for the Blues after a melee between both sets of players, with Liverpool substitute Joe Upton floored.
Wright on cue as Danns returns
Wright, 18, rolled a low cross first time into the far corner after Isaac Mabaya had played captain Michael Laffey into space down the inside right channel inside the penalty area. He registered six goals and three assists in his last seven Premier League 2 outings of the previous campaign after returning from a serious knee injury.
Jayden Danns came off the bench on 62 minutes after an untimely hamstring injury denied him what would have been guaranteed minutes with the senior side during the summer. He was soon a threat, having one shot blocked and seeing the rebound saved before Oliver O'Connor dragged the loose ball across the face of goal.
Absences prompt transfer questions
Lewis Koumas has impressed head coach Andoni Iraola during pre-season sufficiently to have been part of the preparations for the first team ahead of the Premier League opener at Newcastle United on Sunday. The other main absentees have all been linked with loan moves before the deadline day on Tuesday week.
James McConnell would certainly have been appreciated in a midfield battle where Everton's willingness to stick the boot in led to an increasingly thunderous affair. Left-back Luke Chambers was another missing, with a decision likely to be taken nearer the end of the window regarding the immediate futures of both him and McConnell.
There was a welcome start at right-back for Mabaya, who missed almost all of last season having suffered an Achilles injury two games into a loan spell at Wigan Athletic.
Mor the merrier
Ifeanyi Ndukwe's impressive showings shot him to prominence - the teenager is expected to join Spanish side Levante on loan this weekend - while there was also a chance for Mor Talla Ndiaye to demonstrate his progress since arriving from Senegal in January.
Alongside the fit-again Wellity Lucky, there was no shortage of endeavour or commitment from the 18-year-old, even if some of his distribution was occasionally wayward. The feisty affair brought out the physicality in both defenders, with the duo likely to provide the foundation for Liverpool's efforts in the first half of the U21s season.
It ended with Ndiaye donning the gloves and making one decent save with Liverpool having made all their designated substitutions before the red card for Davies. Liverpool are next in Premier League 2 action on Sunday week when they entertain Leeds United in Kirkby (kick-off 1pm).
