Liverpool 1-1 Aston Villa (Reserves)
Liverpool picked up their first point of the new FA Premier Reserve League season with a 1-1 draw against Aston Villa at Anfield on Wednesday evening.
The Reds created easily the better chances of the two sides but had to wait until five minutes from time before French World Cup winner Bernard Diomède finally broke the deadlock.
Sadly for the Reds Villa star Julian Joachin leveled matters with a goal in injury time to deny the home side the three points.
Villa started the better of the two sides and Liverpool were grateful to the athleticism of goalkeeper Pegguy Arphexad who made two fine saves within the space of three minutes.
The Frenchman saved well with his legs after Danny Murphy had gifted possession to Villa midfielder Ian Taylor and then soon after he made an even better stop to keep out a close range effort from Gavin Melaugh.
Liverpool’s first opening came after 16 minutes when striker Ian Armstrong turned sharply inside the penalty area and drilled a left footed effort narrowly wide of the far post.
Irishman Michael Foley tested Villa goalkeeper Peter Enckelman with a powerful strike in the final minute of the first half but that was the last action of an opening period which never really sparkled.
Erik Meijer wasted a golden chance two minutes into the second half when he shot straight at the goalkeeper when clean through on goal and then seconds later his spectacular volley was flying towards the roof of the net before Enckleman acrobatically tipped the ball away to safety.
Liverpool were taking the game to their opponents and playing some fluent football with the Villa defence coming under increasing pressure as the match wore on.
Danny Murphy rattled the woodwork with a long range effort ten minutes into the second half and shortly after Diomède brought a smart stop from Enckelman with a low drive from twelve yards.
Murphy again hit the post following good link up play with Diomède and it seemed only a matter of time before the Reds scored the elusive first goal.
Their chances increased further on 76 minutes when Villa youngster Aaron Lescott was sent off after he sent Ian Armstrong crashing to the ground when the Liverpool youngster appeared to be running through on goal.
The Reds continued with their patient approach play and were finally rewarded after 85 minutes when Diomède blasted the ball home with his left foot into the Kop net to the delight of the Anfield crowd.
But just as the Reds were preparing to celebrate three deserved points Joachin danced his way into the area and crashed a shot into the back of the net.
Liverpool:
Pegguy Arphexad, Alan Navarro, Jon Otsemobor, Rigobert Song, Frode Kippe, Michael Foley, John Miles, Danny Murphy, Erik Meijer, Ian Armstrong, Bernard Diomède
Subs not used:
Stephen Torpey, Peter Crookes, Lee Beck, Chris O'Brien, Neil Prince, Anthony Morton
Goals: Diomede (85), Joachim (90)
Yellow: /
Red: /