Liverpool summer signing makes mark as 17-year-old nets winner in Europe

Amara Nallo scored the winner as Liverpool earned the first victory of their UEFA Youth League campaign at home to Bologna on Wednesday afternoon. Nallo struck from close range 17 minutes from time of an entertaining contest that saw a Reds under-19 side triumph 2-1 over their Italian opponents at the Academy at Kirkby.

Ranel Young had put Barry Lewtas's side ahead shortly after half-time with an opportunist finish only for Federico Tonin to equalise for the visitors eight minutes later.

The win moved Liverpool on to four points having earned a goalless draw at AC Milan a fortnight ago. Unlike the senior team, the youngsters only play six matches in the opening 36-team league stage.

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Liverpool started on the front foot, with Rio Ngumoha heavily involved in the opening exchanges. Inside five minutes, the winger had the first opportunity when, having skipped past one defender on the left wing, he sprinted inside and fired a shot from 25 yards that clipped the top of the crossbar.

Ngumoha's dribbling caused Bologna problems and teed up DJ Esdaille to assist Trent Kone-Doherty for an angled drive that flew over, with Young later unable to gain full purchase on his touch after the winger fired in a low cross.

Kone-Doherty then saw a shot saved by Massimo Pessina after wriggling his way into space, and shortly before half-time was denied again by the Bologna goalkeeper after being sent racing clear by Young. That opening came after a counter-attack from a Bologna corner conceded when Liverpool keeper Kornel Misciur had clawed behind a looping header from the dangerous Tommaso Ebone.

But the Reds were ahead six minutes into the second half when, with Bologna playing the ball across their backline, Young pounced by tackling Peter Markovic and tapping home with Pessina out of position.

Misciur saved from Tonin as the visitors sought an instant response but could do nothing to deny the same player on 58 minutes when the unmarked Bologna man was released inside the area by Lorenzo Menegazzo.

Menegazzo should have put the visitors ahead shortly afterwards when dragging his shot across the face of the goal while, at the other end, left-back Carter Pinnington sneaked in at the far post to force a save from Pessina.

Bologna, though, couldn't escape on 73 minutes when Pinnington this time got on the end of a free-kick from Josh Davidson. Pessina could only touch the ball back into the six-yard area where Nallo gleefully pounced.

Liverpool are next in UEFA Youth League action on Wednesday, October 23, when they are at RB Leipzig (kick-off 3pm).

LIVERPOOL U19s (4-2-3-1): Misciur; Esdaille, Nallo, Lucky, Pinnington; Davidson, Laffey; Kone-Doherty, Morrison (Pitt 90+2), Ngumoha (Ahmed 76); Young (Figueroa 79). Subs: Hall, Bernard, O'Connor, Bradshaw. BOOKING: Ngumoha.