Francisco Duran picked up an injury and goalkeeper Daniele Padelli made an impressive debut as Liverpool Reserves lost 1-0 to Middlesbrough at Billingham Synthonia on Wednesday night.
The Spanish youth international picked up what appeared to be a knee injury when he twisted it while attempting to make a tackle and limped off after 17 minutes.
Liverpool finished the game with 10 men after Austrian Besian Idrizaj was sent-off after two reckless challenges in almost quick succession. He could have no complaints.
Middlesbrough fielded a strong team featuring the likes of Chris Riggott, former Chelsea defender Robert Huth, former Charlton striker Jason Euell and Brazilian midfielder Fabio Rochemback.
Liverpool Reserve team manager Gary Ablett handed loan signing Padelli his first start while the likes of Emiliano Insua, Ronald Huth and Jordy Brouwer also played. Jack Hobbs captained the team and was given a midfield holding role.
Middlesbrough's pace in centrl attack troubled the Liverpool defence and Euell and Ben Hutchinson gave Huth and Miki Roque a tough time.
Italian Under-21 international Padelli made an impressive opening to the game with two excellent point blank saves to keep out Hutchinson after he had outpaced Huth on both occasions.
Boro' opened the scoring after eight minutes when Euell sent a tremendous volley beyond the reach of Padelli into the top corner of the net.
The home side continued the pressure and the lively winger Adam Johnson was unlucky to see his fierce 25-yard drive just clear the top of the bar.
Liverpool created their first real chance of the half in first half stoppage time when a surging run down the left flank from Insua saw him find Nabil El Zhar in space. The Moroccan then threaded a superb ball into Brouwer's path. Despite being at a tight angle the Dutch striker still managed to drive a fierce shot at goal that saw the net ripple but the ball ended up in the side netting. That was about as close as we came to a Liverpool goal on the night.
Eight minutes into the second half Padelli again showed his capabilities. With the goalkeeper narrowly off his line Hutchinson tried an audacious lob that almost went in, but leaning back the Italian managed to palm the ball over the bar.
Liverpool's hopes of a comeback were made even worse when Idrizaj was sent-off after 65 minutes.
Boro' might have added further goals in the second half but Padelli made sure it stayed at 1-0 and he can be pleased with his debut.
El Zhar had a lively match for Liverpool and he worked hard for the team and tried hard to find openings. The Moroccan has certainly progressed as the season has gone on and after taking time to adjust to English football he is beginning to show his true potential.
Middlesbrough Reserves: Turnbull, McMahon, Grounds, Huth (Williams 45), Riggott, Goulon (Walker 45), Rochemback, Euell, Hutchinson, Sappleton (Thomson 62), Johnson.
Liverpool Reserves: Padelli, Darby, Insua, Roque, Huth, Hobbs, Duran (Flynn 17), Idrizaj, Brouwer (Spearing 70), El Zhar, Anderson. Subs unused: Roberts (GK), Lindfield, Threlfall..
Referee: R Wigglesorth.
Liverpoolfc.tv Man of the Match: Daniele Padelli. An impressive debut and he was the main reason why the score stayed at just 1-0.
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