[lfc-news] Reserves v Man Utd report - Official Site

Official LFC Website, 1 Mar 2005
JOSEMI INJURED AS RESERVES LOSE
Steve Hunter, at Wrexham

Liverpool suffered yet another injury blow when Spanish right back Josemi limped out of Liverpool Reserves 1-0 defeat by Manchester United five minutes before half-time at Wrexham's Racecourse Ground.

Josemi had previously played 45 minutes for the reserves and Liverpool will be hoping that he has picked up just a minor knock during the first half and his subsitution was just a precaution.

Liverpool Reserve manager Hughie McAuley fielded a largely young team with Paul Harrison back in goal after completing a one month loan spell at Leeds United. Harrison was back up to Leeds keeper Neil Sullivan but only featured on the bench twice at Elland Road before manager Kevin Blackwell brought in experienced keeper Kevin Pressman.

Harrison was Liverpool's best player and kept the score down to 1-0 making several outstanding saves but Richie Partridge was unlucky not to equalise on two occasions benied denied by two fine saves from Ricardo.

In the absence of Neil Mellor Anthony Le Tallec played up front with Darren Potter supporting him. John Welsh captained the side and played central midfield with David Mannix. Jon Otsemobor started on the right side of midfield with Republic of Ireland Under-21 international Richie Partridge on the left wing.

Manchester United fielded a young side as well with their most experienced players being Spanish international goalkeeper Ricardo, striker David Bellion and Republic of Ireland international Liam Miller who scored the only goal of the game.

Liverpool had the first chance after 10 minutes when a surging run from David Mannix took him into the United penalty area but after attempting a one-two with Anthony LeTallec unfortunately the Frenchman was crowed out. A minute later Darren Potter had a good chance but fired straight at Ricardo from the edge of the box.

At the other end United went close when Colin Heath broke down the right and from his cross Giuseppi Rossi somehow fired over the bar.

Liverpool keeper Paul Harrison was called into action after 30 minutes when he produced a superb reflex save to keep out an effort from Colin Heath.

United came so close to breaking the deadlock three minutes before half-time when a run from David Bellion took him past two Reds defenders before he crashed a shot against the bar.

Two minutes into the second half a slip from Zak Whitbread let in David Jones who seemed certain to score but for another superb save from Paul Harrison, then straight from the corner the keeper again did brilliantly to spread himself and deny Lee Martin.

Then at the other end Liverpool put a great move together when Otsemobor beat two defenders down the right and put in a great cross that was met first time by Richie Partridge who saw his effort superbly kept out by Ricardo.

United went close after 54 minutes when Heath set up a great chance for Jones whose shot was brilliantly cleared off the line by the outstanding James Smith.

United took the lead after 57 minutes with a fine strike by Liam Miller which gave Harrison no chance following a corner.

Harrison then made another superb save to deny United a second goal with a fine save from Martin.

Then came the goal-line clearance of the season from Liverpool defender James Smith. Giuseppi Rossi sent an audacious chip over Harrison and it looked to be going in before Smith somehow stretched to keep it out. This is a big time for Smith who is hoping to earn a contract and he is
certainly going about it in the right way as he has given man of the match style performances in his last five or so games.

Liverpool Reserves: Harrison, Josemi (O'Donnell 44), Raven, J Smith (Wilkie 80), Whitbread, Mannix, Otsemobor, Welsh, Le Tallec, Potter, Partridge. Subs not used: Luzi, Guthrie, Hammill.

Manchester United Reserves: Ricardo, Picken, Eckersley, Pique, Spector, Miller, Heath, Jones, Bellion (Timm 89), Rossi, Martin.

Referee: R L Lewis.

Liverpoolfc.tv Man of the Match: Paul Harrison. Kept the score down and had a brilliant match making three or four fine saves. James Smith ran Harrison close and had another excellent match.