PL2 Report: Liverpool 0-0 Saints

Despite what the scoreline may suggest the game was littered with chances for both sides.

Liverpool, who had lost just twice all season, showed how stubborn their defence is after waves of Saints pressure during parts of the 90 minutes.

But the visiting side likewise showed their steel and resilience to keep at bay a talented Liverpool side.

Much of Saints’ young side which won late at MK Dons kept their place at The Academy.

The likes of match-winner Kazeem Olaigbe, David Agbontohoma and Allan Tchaptchet were joined by more regular faces in Will Ferry, Alex Jankewitz and skipper Callum Slattery.

Liverpool’s side also saw a mix of youth and PL2 experience, with many players making the step up to cover the first team’s well documented injury list.

The hosts had the first real chance of the game after eight minutes; Kingsley Latham called into action with a superb save to deny Paul Glatzel who beat the offside trap.

Saints seemingly continued where they left off last Wednesday at MK Dons when it came to their tactic of closing down the keeper.

Liverpool’s Caoimhín Kelleher losing position thanks to the pressing of Tryeke Johnson in the 13th minute, but the Saints forward was unable to convert with Kelleher’s defenders coming to his rescue.

Next it was the hosts’ turn to come close, Liam Miller cutting inside from the left flank and clattering Latham’s far post.

Olaigbe was a continued problem for Liverpool’s high defensive line during the first half, as the young forward was played through one-on-one not for the first time on 20 minutes. Denied ultimately by a tight offside call.

Chances became more of a premium as the rain picked up, proving to become almost torrential on the half-hour mark.

With the shower passing back came the chances; Glatzel seemingly through again but denied by a superb Agbontohoma sliding challenge on 34 minutes.

Saints’ best chance of the half so far came five minutes from the interval. Will Ferry’s looped pass finding Johnson who got to the ball before Sepp van den Berg, but his chipped shot was off the mark and went wide of the target.

Latham was then made busy once again by Millar, who hit an effort across goal from the left but was denied by a strong hand and a brave claim from the Saints keeper.

It proved to be an eventful end to a eventful half despite the score line; Kelleher failing to collect a Saints corner with the ball falling to Johnson at the back post, whose volley towards goal was well claimed.

Ferry then linked with Jankewitz and burst into the box during the final minute of the half, squaring the ball towards Caleb Watts but the pass was well cut out.

Both sides made changes at the break, Kegs Chauke making way for Enzo Robise whilst Glatzel was replaced by Fidel O’Rourke for the hosts.

As Jürgen Klopp watched on it was Saints who had the opening chance of the half; Johnson sent through again but well hounded out by multiple Liverpool defenders, before the ball fell to Jankewitz who had his shot well saved down low.

Kelleher was called into action once more minutes after for the hosts, Johnson involved again forcing the keeper to tip a powerful effort over the bar.

During a spell of consistent Saints pressure Slattery was next to let fly, his shot flying just wide of the left-hand post.

Liverpool tried to respond with long balls over the top but were denied by a well drilled Saints defence who continued to head clear any danger.

Olaigbe and Watts proved problematic to the hosts from both flanks, cutting inside and forcing their defence back as this spell of pressure continued past the hour mark.

Another long ball won Liverpool a free kick on 66 minutes, as Ferry won the initial ball but couldn’t prevent the foul on the rebound.

Tyler Morton stepped up and forced a superb save from Latham who dived down to his left-hand side.

Another big Saints chance came on 70 minutes; Johnson once more bursting free of the Liverpool defence, but his square ball cut out by a vital Conor Bradley challenge before it found the feet of Olaigbe at the back post.

With 15 minutes to go the hosts enjoyed their best spell of the game so far, forcing Saints back and finding space in areas which weren’t there before.

Liverpool thought they had a penalty on 76 minutes; O’Rourke fouled inside the box and the referee pointing to the spot but the linesman already had his flag up for offside.

Saints withstood the pressure and started to threaten once more themselves. Watts bursting down the right flank as he had done all game and winning a corner in the 82nd minute for his side.

The game suffered a major stoppage five minutes from time with Liverpool’s Joe Hardy forced off with an injury and the hosts having to play the remainder with ten men.

Both sides searched for what would be the winner as seven minutes of additional time were played into.

But neither team could find a goal from what was an eventful 0-0 draw at the Academy.

Saints host Brighton and Hove Albion at St Mary’s Stadium next-time-out on 30th November.

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