Jerzy Dudek was sent-off, Nabil El Zhar scored his first Liverpool goal and Bolo Zenden missed a penalty as the Reds lost 2-1 to Everton in a fiery mini reserves derby at the Halton Stadium in Widnes.
The Polish international was shown a straight red card after 60 minutes for reacting angrily to a challenge from Everton striker Victor Anichebe.
The Everton striker was late in a sliding challenge on Dudek with stoods showing which resulted in both players squaring up to each other. After consulting with his assistant referee Mr M Oliver gave Dudek a straight red card and strangely only booked Anichebe. It was certainly a decision that could be questioned. Later on in the game Everton striker James Vaughan was booked for a late challenge on Reds substitute keeper David Martin.
Everton were quickest off the starting blocks in the game and opened the scoring after just six minutes through a spectacular free-kick from Lee Molyneux, but the lead wasn't to last as recent signing El Zhar equalised from the penalty spot for the Reds after 25 minutes.
The Moroccan youth international won the penalty when he was brought down by Mark Hughes and he confidently stepped up to coolly send Blues keeper Richard Wright the wrong way from the spot. El Zhar and Fabio Aurelio both wanted to take the penalty but after a discussion the Reds number nine was given the responsibility which he duly took.
Liverpool then missed a penalty 10 minutes later when a brilliant run from Bolo Zenden charging through midfield saw him beat three defenders before being brought down. The Dutch international then took the ball off El Zhar and took the spot kick himself but despite sending Wright the wrong way, missed the target and shot wide. It was tough fortune on Zenden who had an excellent match in the centre of midfield.
Unfortunately the penalty miss was to prove costly as Everton scored their winning goal after 64 minutes when Vaughan slotted past Martin from a tight angle.
Reds reserve team boss Gary Ablett fielded a fairly strong side featuring the likes of Zenden, Aurelio, Dudek and Stephen Warnock. Midfielder David Mannix made his return to the starting line-up after being out since January with a broken ankle. Aurelio enjoyed a lively 45 minute run-out on the left side of midfield.
Everton fielded the likes of Richard Wright, Tony Hibbert and a lively front pairing of Anichebe and Vaughan.
On the whole a draw would have been the fairer result but once Dudek was sent-off Liverpool found it hard to create a clear cut opening to find an equaliser. The Reds best chance came from a free-kick when Wright was penalised for picking up the ball from a back pass. Mannix's initial effort was blocked and El Zhar fired a snap shot just over the bar from the rebound.
Liverpool's other best chance on the night fell to Danny Guthrie in the first half but he missed the target from a free header after a superb run and cross from Aurelio.
Everton Reserves: Wright, Hibbert, Molyneux, Irving, Hughes, Phelan, Connor, Kearney, Vaughan, Anichebe, Morrison (Agard 83).
Liverpool Reserves: Dudek, Smith, Warnock, Antwi, Paletta, Mannix, Flynn (Martin 60), Zenden, El Zhar, Guthrie, Aurelio (Threlfall 45). Subs unused: Hobbs, Roque, Darby.
Referee: M Oliver.
Liverpoolfc.tv Man of the Match: Bolo Zenden. Despite missing a penalty the Dutch international played well in the centre of midfield.
The Polish international was shown a straight red card after 60 minutes for reacting angrily to a challenge from Everton striker Victor Anichebe.
The Everton striker was late in a sliding challenge on Dudek with stoods showing which resulted in both players squaring up to each other. After consulting with his assistant referee Mr M Oliver gave Dudek a straight red card and strangely only booked Anichebe. It was certainly a decision that could be questioned. Later on in the game Everton striker James Vaughan was booked for a late challenge on Reds substitute keeper David Martin.
Everton were quickest off the starting blocks in the game and opened the scoring after just six minutes through a spectacular free-kick from Lee Molyneux, but the lead wasn't to last as recent signing El Zhar equalised from the penalty spot for the Reds after 25 minutes.
The Moroccan youth international won the penalty when he was brought down by Mark Hughes and he confidently stepped up to coolly send Blues keeper Richard Wright the wrong way from the spot. El Zhar and Fabio Aurelio both wanted to take the penalty but after a discussion the Reds number nine was given the responsibility which he duly took.
Liverpool then missed a penalty 10 minutes later when a brilliant run from Bolo Zenden charging through midfield saw him beat three defenders before being brought down. The Dutch international then took the ball off El Zhar and took the spot kick himself but despite sending Wright the wrong way, missed the target and shot wide. It was tough fortune on Zenden who had an excellent match in the centre of midfield.
Unfortunately the penalty miss was to prove costly as Everton scored their winning goal after 64 minutes when Vaughan slotted past Martin from a tight angle.
Reds reserve team boss Gary Ablett fielded a fairly strong side featuring the likes of Zenden, Aurelio, Dudek and Stephen Warnock. Midfielder David Mannix made his return to the starting line-up after being out since January with a broken ankle. Aurelio enjoyed a lively 45 minute run-out on the left side of midfield.
Everton fielded the likes of Richard Wright, Tony Hibbert and a lively front pairing of Anichebe and Vaughan.
On the whole a draw would have been the fairer result but once Dudek was sent-off Liverpool found it hard to create a clear cut opening to find an equaliser. The Reds best chance came from a free-kick when Wright was penalised for picking up the ball from a back pass. Mannix's initial effort was blocked and El Zhar fired a snap shot just over the bar from the rebound.
Liverpool's other best chance on the night fell to Danny Guthrie in the first half but he missed the target from a free header after a superb run and cross from Aurelio.
Everton Reserves: Wright, Hibbert, Molyneux, Irving, Hughes, Phelan, Connor, Kearney, Vaughan, Anichebe, Morrison (Agard 83).
Liverpool Reserves: Dudek, Smith, Warnock, Antwi, Paletta, Mannix, Flynn (Martin 60), Zenden, El Zhar, Guthrie, Aurelio (Threlfall 45). Subs unused: Hobbs, Roque, Darby.
Referee: M Oliver.
Liverpoolfc.tv Man of the Match: Bolo Zenden. Despite missing a penalty the Dutch international played well in the centre of midfield.
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