Liverpool exit FA Youth Cup as Jayden Danns and Lewis Koumas absence felt

Liverpool Under-18s suffered a 3-1 defeat to Leeds United in the FA Youth Cup quarter-finals as they were left cursing the absence of a number of first-choice players.

The young Reds were without Jayden Danns, Lewis Koumas, Trey Nyoni and Amara Nallo following their first-team involvement against Southampton on Wednesday. Danns and Koumas, who both scored against the Saints, had been responsible for nine of their 12 goals during the competition prior to Thursday night’s game, with their absence very much felt at Elland Road.

Rhys Chadwick took advantage of a defensive slip-up to give Leeds the lead before Freddie Lane headed home after the restart. The former then produced an emphatic finish to clinch the win.

But despite Trent Kone-Doherty’s spectacular consolation, Liverpool, who were left rueing the non-award of a seemingly stonewall penalty for handball when the scores were still level, were left unable to continue what had been a dream week for the club’s Academy as a result.

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Marc Bridge-Wilkinson’s side struggled to assert themselves during a cagey opening in Yorkshire as they found themselves under increasing pressure. Leeds had already had a penalty appeal waved away after Marley Wilson went down in the box under pressure from Lucas Pitt, when Lane missed a great chance to open the scoring.

After Kornel Misciur had scrambled an inswinging corner away, Dan Toulsen rifled the ball back across goal as it fell to an unmarked Lane at the far post. However, from an acute angle, he could only fire into the side-netting.

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