Le Tallec sensational as Reserves draw Danny Murphy scored a penalty as Liverpool Reserves drew 1-1 with Leeds United but that in no means tells the real story of the match as the Reds created enough chances to win five matches and Anthony Le Tallec was absolutely sensational. How Liverpool didn't win this game will remain a mystery to Reds reserve boss Hughie McAuley but a combination of great goalkeeping, the post, goal-line clerances and bad finishing resulted in a draw. Leeds finished the game with 10 men when Republic of Ireland star Ian Harte was sent-off 18 minutes from time for a tackle which can only be described as 'shocking' on Anthony Le Tallec. Harte was shown a straight red as he left the field in shame to a crecendo of boos from the Reds fans. Rick Parry spoke of edge of the seat signings during the summer and the boy dubbed Tony Le T by Reds fans throughout the world fits that description perfectly. Le Tallec gave a virtuoso display and the 17-year-old was an absolute joy to watch and some of his passing was out of this world. The only thing missing from his game was a goal, and he could have had a hat-trick. He was kicked up in the air at times by some crude Leeds challenges and Ian Harte's crude tackle deservedly saw him sent-off. In all honesty Le Tallec was fortunate to escape intact but after treatment was able to continue. Fellow French gem Florent Sinama-Pongolle was also excellent. He won the penalty, should have clearly had another spot kick, and missed a great chance. Reds reserve boss Hughie McAuley fielded a strong side with Djimi Traore as captain, and senior players in the form of Danny Murphy, Bruno Cheyrou and Salif Diao. Leeds also fielded a strong side with former Red Nick Barmby joining Ian Harte, World Cup star Salomon Olembe, Michael Bridges and promising first team squad youngster Aaron Lennon in the team. Right from the start of the game to the end the action was fantastic. In the opening 45 seconds of the game a great ball from Le Tallecplayed in Pongolle, but he was denied by a good tackle. Leeds played very well in the first half with youngsters Lennon and left winger Simon Johnson prominent in everything they did. Bridges missed a golden opportunity after two minutes when he shot wide with just Patrice Luzi to beat then fellow striker Cyril Chapuis should have scored but blazed over the bar. Bruno Cheyrou was another player to enjoy an excellent game and he came so close after 16 minutes when he powered a header inches wide after a fantastic cross from the right by Jon Otsemobor. Leeds opened the scoring with a controversial goal after 30 minutes. A superb through ball by Nicky Barmby released Michael Bridges whose chip was fumbled by Luzi, but just as it looked to be creeping into the net Djimi Traore made an unbelievable goal-line clearance. Or so we though, but an eagle eyed linesman some 50-yards away somehow spotted the ball had just crossed the line! A goal was given. Johnson might have scored two more at the end of the first half with two great strikes, one well saved by Luzi and another just wide. Then at the other end the excellent Danny Murphy was denied by a great save from Scott Carson and the keeper also made a fine save at the feet of Pongolle, after an unbelievable pass from Le Tallec. While Leeds had played well in the first half the second half saw a different Liverpool who produced constant attacking football. Otsemobor had a shaky first half but in the second he was a different player and had winger Johnson on the back foot - a complete reversal. Otsemobor was raiding down the right side with terrific pace and produced some decent crosses. The Reds equalised two minutes into the second half. A fantastic pass from Le Tallec released Pongolle who was brought down by Simon Walton. Danny Murphy clinically despatched the penalty for 1-1. Le Tallec should have made it 2-1 six minutes later. A fantastic break by Murphy saw him release the French gem, but withjust Carson to beat Le Tallec's effort was too casual and saved. Two minutes later Liverpool should have had a penalty when Pongolle was clearly tripped by Walton but referee Richardson, who wasn't well placed, waved play on. The chances then just kept coming and coming but try as they might Liverpool just couldn't score. Another exquisite Le Tallec pass found Pongolle who chested down in the area but fired over the top, then after another Le Tallec moment of class Salif Diao charged to the edge of the box but curled an effort inches wide. Harte was then sent-off but try as the Leeds defenders did to stop Le Tallec running the show, he just kept coming back for more and tormented them at times. On 73 minutes Leeds keeper Carson performed absolute heroics. He denied Le Tallec and then Murphy's follow-up effort. Murphy then should have had a penalty when Robert Constable brought him down but amazing play was waved on. Carson then went on to deny Pongolle after another fabulous through ball by Le Tallec. The Frenchman then set off on a great run down the right, beat three defenders and produced a cross on a plate for the unmarked Cheyrou, but agonisingly for Bruno he volleyed over the bar. Carson was like a man possessed! He made another fantastic save from Cheyrou, denied Le Tallec again, then Le Tallec saw an effort cleared off the line after a brilliant run and pull back from Pongolle. A minute from time you knew it wasn't to be Liverpool's night when Otsemobor saw a header come crashing back off the bar from Murphy's superb free-kick delivery. There was still time for Patrice Luzi to make a great save for Liverpool to deny Chapuis as Leeds attacked on the break away, but it was the moment of luck the Reds deserved. All-in-all a fantastic game of football and great entertainment. Danny Murphy was excellent, so was Bruno Cheyrou whose attitude was much better and he worked hard and passed well with intelligence. Salif Diao worked hard but was guilty of some reckless tackles, and all you can say about his tackling is if he was playing in the Premiership he would have been sent-off. With all the talk about young talent across the park in Rooney and down the East Lancs with Ronaldo at Man U, it's worth reminding people Liverpool have a player who looks pretty special. Whisper it quietly but Anthony Le Tallec looks quite sensational. Liverpool Reserves: Luzi, Otsemobor, Whitbread, Medjani, Traore, Diao, Welsh, Murphy, Sinama-Pongolle, Cheyrou, Le Tallec. Subs not used: Partridge, Harrison (GK), Potter, Foley-Sheridan, Foy. Leeds United Reserves: Carson, Keegan, Harte, Olembe, Walton, Constable, Lennon, Barmby (Winter64), Bridges (McMaster 45), Chapuis, Johnson. Liverpoolfc.tv Man of the Match: Anthony Le Tallec. John Welsh was sensational in midfield but Anthony Le Tallec was just something else. An absolute joy to watch!
I remember watching him and Pongolle against the US in the U-17 World Cup two years ago. He has to be older than 17 now, right? Anyway, he's a very good player!