Liverpool coach handed dramatic red card before injury-time penalty heroics

Fabian Mrozek made a dramatic injury-time penalty save to ensure Liverpool avoided Premier League 2 defeat at Reading.

Mrozek stopped an effort from Jahmari Clarke as the Reds under-21s earned a goalless draw at the Select Car Leasing Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

The spot kick was awarded when Jay Spearing was adjudged to have handled on the line, with the veteran player-coach then dismissed. Liverpool included Rhys Williams, Trey Nyoni, Kaide Gordon and Mateusz Musialowksi in their starting line-up, but couldn't find a way through.

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"I'm really pleased with the lads in how we stuck together throughout the match, and especially late on after going down to 10 men," said U21s coach Barry Lewtas. "Overall it was a really strong point for us and the camaraderie we showed and the way we dug in and kept together was hugely pleasing."

Meanwhile, the Reds U18s were held to a 2-2 draw in their U18 Premier League North clash at Middlesbrough on Saturday. Michael Laffey, the Liverpool skipper, gave the visitors an early lead only for Frankie Coulson to level with 17 minutes remaining.

Kieran Morrison's fifth goal in seven games swiftly restored the Reds' advantage but Charlie Lennon struck an almost instant response to restore parity. "We had a young side out," said U18s coach Marc Bridge-Wilkinson. "It was good to give three of the U16s an opportunity to start the game and that was really pleasing, for them to get used to the level a little bit and test them slightly."

Liverpool are next in Premier League 2 action on