Everton U21 3-3 Liverpool U21: Young Reds let slip three-goal lead in remarkable mini derbyBY ANDY KELLY / Echo
Blues second-half fightback stuns Michael Beale's side as honours are shared at Southport
Pictured: Conor McAleny looks to get past Sergi Canos and Conor Randall.
It didn't start like a derby but it certainly finished like one.
A dominant first-half display from Liverpool's U21s should have been enough to lay the groundwork for a comfortable victory in the first mini-derby of the season.
But they somehow contrived to give up a 3-0 lead and an entertaining game ended with Everton the most likely to steal a winner at Southport's Merseyrail Community Stadium.
The Reds fielded a strong line-up with Tiago Ilori at centre-back alongside Dan Cleary and Joao Teixiera playing in an advanced position near centre forward Jack Dunn.
Harry Wilson broke the deadlock from the penalty spot in the 12th minute after winning the spot kick himself.
It looked soft as he played the ball past new Blues centre-half Mason Holgate - who was otherwise quite impressive - and was stopped by an outstretched arm but the resultant penalty was slotted with the minimum of fuss.
Liverpool stretched their lead in the 22nd minute when Joao Teixiera showed his class to fire a low drive past Hewelt in the Blues' goal.
It was a strange game at this stage with no real feel of a derby and strong challenges few and far between.
Jordan Rossiter and Cameron Brannagan had a decent hold on things in midfield and Ryan Fulton was relatively untroubled in the Reds' goal.
Indeed it was almost 3-0 just after the half-hour mark when Jack Dunn stretched to meet a cross at the back post but his effort could only hit the post.
That third goal wasn't long in coming though after a delightful flick from Teixiera saw Wilson's drive headed off the line by Pennington for a corner.
Cleary met it but his header was also cleared off the line before he found Sergi Canos with a short pass and the Spaniard fired high past Hewelt.
Liverpool were cruising towards half-time but Everton captain Joe Williams grabbed his team a lifeline with a powerful drive which deflected past Fulton and left it 3-1 at the break.
It was to prove the game's turning point.
Tom Brewitt replaced Ilori at centre-half at the break but Liverpool couldn't get going and Everton started to show the greater intent.
Liam Walsh was booked for a crude challenge on Wilson and Williams spoken to for a similar offence.
It was a sign Everton were right up for the fight.
The Blues almost reduced the deficit further just after the hour mark when Sam Byrne couldn't climb high enough and headed over from close range but their second goal arrived just two minutes later.
Conor McAleny pounced on a loose ball just outside the box and his low right-foot drive gave Fulton no chance.
Liverpool couldn't lift it and it was no surprise when Everton grabbed an equaliser, substitute Tom Davies clipping home after Fulton spilled Pennington's long shot.
Reds' manager Michael Beale will wonder quite what happened here but it was very much a lesson learned for his young Reds.
