Liverpool new signing suffers major injury concern as Kenny Dalglish watches on
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Anfield great Sir Kenny Dalglish watches the UEFA Youth League match between Liverpool and Atletico Madrid at the Academy(Image: Jess Hornby/Getty Images)Liverpool opened their UEFA Youth League campaign with a hard-fought goalless draw against Atletico Madrid at a blustery Kirkby on Wednesday afternoon.
Kieran Morrison came closest to breaking the deadlock for an under-19s side when his 20-yard free-kick struck the top of crossbar shortly after half-time.
The Reds lost Will Wright through injury early on with the summer signing from Salford eventually leaving on a stretcher having suffered a suspected knee problem while making a block challenge.
Liverpool legend Kenny Dalglish was among a number watching on at the Academy with the result a fair outcome with both teams enjoying patches of dominance in a game of few real openings.
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Trey cool
Trey Nyoni once again made a significant impact with Arne Slot's side during pre-season having already featured in the Champions League proper last term at PSV Eindhoven.
But here the 18-year-old was back with the U19s for his second season in the UEFA Youth League, skippering a side helmed by new U21s boss Rob Page with U18s head coach Simon Wiles as assistant.
It didn't take long before Nyoni's class became evident, his ability to make swift passes around the corner helping Liverpool find spaces in between the lines of a well-organised Atletico side.
One backheel to evade two opponents and release a team-mate prompted purrs from those present, while there was a sense of purpose and precision to much of his play.
On this evidence, it would be no surprise if Nyoni once again features in the senior tournament again this season.
Wingers take flight
With Rio Ngumoha and Jayden Danns required elsewhere, the only other Liverpool player involved with first-team experience was Trent Kone-Doherty, who made his debut from the bench in the FA Cup defeat at Plymouth Argyle in February.
Now 19, the winger is one of five overage players the Reds have registered in a competition where he made his debut for the club three years ago.
Kone-Doherty saw plenty of the ball during the opening stages but with it came close attention from the Atletico defenders, who were keen to make the young Irishman aware of their presence.
Despite picking up a first-half booking, Kone-Doherty was undeterred and continued to offer himself down the left flank, although he became peripheral in the second half before being replaced by Joe Bradshaw, who has started the U18s season in fine form.
On the other wing, Morrison, another overage player, had a very quiet first half but came to life after the break, striking the crossbar with a free-kick and then dragging an effort wide.
Wright agony
There was a significant blow for one Liverpool summer signing with Wright being forced off early through injury.
The striker sustained a jarring knock during a strong early challenge and, having attempted to play on for a few minutes, ended up requiring lengthy treatment behind one of the goals as the game continued before leaving on a stretcher.
His departure gave an opportunity to Kareem Ahmed, the 18-year-old England-born Egyptian, a chance to lead the line.
And he was the nearest to scoring during an attritional first half when he shot wide from a good position after Liverpool pressure forced an Atletico mistake.
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Defensively, with Carter Pinnington strong at centre-back and Alvin Ayman putting in a shift again as an emergency left-back, Liverpool, with Joe Upton busy in defensive midfield, were solid for the most part with goalkeeper Bailey Hall having few saves to make.
LIVERPOOL U19s (4-2-3-1): Hall; Esdaille, Pinnington, Lucky, Ayman; Upton, Nyoni; Morrison, Sonni-Lambie, Kone-Doherty (Bradshaw 74); Wright (Ahmed 12 (Lonmeni 90+2)).