LE TALLEC SCORES BUT RESERVES LOSE

Official LFC Website, 7 Feb 2005
Steve Hunter at Kidderminster

Anthony Le Tallec scored a superb goal but later limped off five minutes from time in Liverpool Reserves undeserved 3-1 defeat by West Bromwich
Albion.

The home side had gone 2-0 up before Le Tallec pulled a goal back for the young Reds after 51 minutes when he ran clean through and produced the sweetest of chips over keeper Tomasz Kuszczak and into the net.

Indeed Le Tallec, playing up front alongside Robbie Foy, could have had a hat-trick as he missed two great opportunities in the second half.

Liverpool deserved at least a point but it was just one of those nights for Hughie McAuley's side.

Le Tallec had a lively second half but had to leave the pitch five minutes from time after complaining to the physio Mark Browes on the touchline about a muscular problem.

The match was played at Kidderminster Harriers Aggborough ground where Reds legend Jan Molby used to manage.

Le Tallec aside Liverpool Reserve manager Hughie McAuley fielded a young side and Richie Partridge made his first start for six weeks after he returned from injury.

Due to international duty McAuley was without the likes of John Welsh (England Under-21), Darren Potter (Republic of Ireland Under-21) and David Raven (England Under-20).

Right back Jon Otsemobor captained the team in the absence of John Welsh while Patrice Luzi returned in goal. After two games playing as a lone striker for the reserves Anthony Le Tallec was joined up front by Robbie Foy.

West Brom opened the scoring after 10 minutes when Robert Elvins turned the ball past Luzi into the net after a corner wasn't properly cleared.

Liverpool had a really good chance to equalise two minutes later when Foy broke well downthe left and found Le Tallec in space who blazed over the bar.

The home side always looked dangerous when they were on the attack but Liverpool with James Smith fighting for every ball defended very well. Indeed James Smith playing in his best position at centre half was assured and made some fine tackles.

Liverpool came into the game more as the first half went on with Academy players Ryan Wilkie and Danny Guthrie working hard and probing for openings.

The Reds went close after 31 minutes when a solo run down the left from Richie Partridge gave him an opening which he curled just past the post. Then after a great move involving Foy and a neat dummy from Guthrie David Mannix let fly from 22-yards out only to be denied by a good low save from Tomasz Kuszczak.

A minute into the second half it was 2-0 to West Brom and it was a poor goal as far as the Reds were concerned. Kyle Patterson left Danny O'Donnell for dead down the right and his pinpoint cross found Loyd Dyer at the back post who fired into the net past Luzi who just stood still
and watched. It appeared the goalkeeper thought it was going wide.

Anthony Le Tallec then pulled a goal back for Liverpool on 51 minutes. Latching onto O'Donnell's header the French Under-21 starlet ran clear and produced a brilliant chip over the advancing Kuszczak.

Hughie McAuley then made his first change of the evening when Under-18 midfielder Paul Barratt made his Reserve team debut as a replacement for Richie Partridge.

Then Le Tallec should have made it 2-2 after 56 minutes when a great pass from Foy played him clean through, but unfortunately the finish was too casual and comfortably saved by Kuszczak.

Le Tallec was in the thick of the action and came close again after 65 minutes when he headed wide from seven yards out after a great right wing cross from Wilkie.

With the Reds pushing for an equaliser West Brom made sure of the three points four minutes from the end when a bad mistake from O'Donnell let in Elvins who smashed the ball past Luzi for 3-1.

West Bromwich Albion Reserves: Kuszczak, Hodgkiss, Holmes, Marshall (Tomlinson 76), Moore, Gaardsoe, Smikle, O'Connor, Patterson (Nicholson 74), Elvins, Dyer.

Liverpool Reserves: Luzi, Otsemobor, D Smith, O'Donnell, J Smith, Guthrie, Wilkie, Mannix, Foy, Le Tallec (Townley 85), Partridge (Barratt 52). Subs unused: Holmes, Willis, Noon.

Referee: P Miller.