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Liverpool Under-19s host Manchester United Under-19s in a huge UEFA Youth League clash this afternoon.

The last-16 tie, which takes place at Tranmere Rovers’ Prenton Park stadium, kicks off at 3pm.

The winner will face Manchester City in the last eight, after they beat Inter Milan.

Liverpool’s youngsters, managed by former Reds captain Steven Gerrard, finished top of their group, identical to the senior side in the Champions League.

United's youth side, with ex-midfielder Nicky Butt as coach, came second on goal difference to Basel.

They then saw off Serbian outfit Brodarac 2-0 in a play-off to reach this stage.

Wales international Ben Woodburn is available for the Reds and captains the side, and with keeper Kamil Grabara also starting.

Promising youngsters Angel Gomes and Tahith Chong feature for United.

Liverpool XI: Grabara, N Williams, Lewis, Masterson, Johnston, Dixon-Bonner, Jones, Kane, Millar, Woodburn, Adekanye. Subs: Jaros, R Williams, Clayton, Boyes, Larouci, Camacho, McAuley.

United XI: Fojticek, Warren, R Williams, O’Connor, Laird, Garner, Hamilton, Chong, Gomes, Barlow, Bohui. Subs: Kovar, Ercolani, Tanner, B Williams, Boonen, Burkart, Mellor.

You can follow all the action LIVE right here.


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The brilliance of David de Gea ensured Manchester United left Seville with a goalless draw and are now favourites to reach the Champions League quarter-finals.

The Spaniard kept his 19th clean sheet of the season, made a number of comfortable saves and one outstanding stop to deny Luis Muriel as Jose Mourinho's men emerged unscathed from their visit to the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan.

Sevilla made a bright start, busy and offensive, with Muriel’s long-range effort after four minutes a sign of attacking intent, albeit one easily saved by De Gea.

Much of the pre-match buildup revolved around Mourinho’s decision to leave Paul Pogba on the bench, but the £89million midfielder was called into action after just 17 minutes, replacing the injured Ander Herrera.

(Image: REUTERS)

(Image: Getty Images Europe)

The best first half chance for the visitors fell to Romelu Lukaku however, found in the penalty area from a brilliant Alexis Sanchez cross, but the Belgian slashed his volley high over the crossbar.

But on the cusp of half-time they should have been behind.

De Gea had been called into four routine stops during the opening period, but produced a world-class effort to deny Colombian international Muriel from point-blank range.

(Image: REUTERS)

(Image: REUTERS)

(Image: Getty Images Europe)

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Pablo Sarabia perhaps should have done better with a second half header, while Muriel was denied in the 81st minute after shooting straight at the ex-Atletico Madrid keeper.

Substitute Marcus Rashford struck just wide late on, but despite neither defence looking secure in Andaluscia, neither attack could find a goal to take a lead into the second leg.

United will need to be wary of the away goal in three weeks time, but on the basis of this battle of toothless attacks, they should have enough to reach the last eight.

Here are five talking points from Seville....

1. Mourinho makes his Pogba point

(Image: Getty Images Europe)

Jose Mourinho made the bold decision pre-match to leave Paul Pogba on the substitutes’ bench.

This was United’s first Champions League knockout clash in four years, and Mourinho was clearly setting his stall out by opting to go without the £89million midfielder.

Scott McTominay and Ander Herrera were both selected ahead of the Frenchman, and Mourinho wasn’t happy with the questions asked about his omittance in the build-up.

"You always ask about the one who isn’t playing” he sniped - but then, no-one was asking about Matteo Darmian, were they?

The one is the most expensive player in the club’s history; Mourinho knew questions would be forthcoming. His utterance that “McTominay is working hard” and "this is the kind of game where I think a player must feel 100 per cent” carried little weight.

The latter, even more so, when within 20 minutes of kickoff Pogba was chosen to replace the injured Herrera.

(Image: Action Images via Reuters)

Make no mistake, Pogba being on the bench was nothing to do with fitness and everything to do with Mourinho making a point.

Large numbers of United fans weren't happy with his decision, but the feeling can only be that - no matter what's being said in public - this was about much more than merely picking a starting XI.

2. The Frenchman's lacklustre display

(Image: Action Images via Reuters)

When Pogba was signed by Manchester United for a then-world record transfer fee, they weren't thinking about the Europa League.

#PogBoom, #PogBack weren't designed for matches against the likes of Brighton and Huddersfield, no disrespect to them.

No, when Pogba returned at considerable expense from his four years of serial winning at Juventus, it was with nights like this - United's first Champions League knockout match in four years - in mind.

He was meant to dictate and devastate, to dominate and destroy; to make the difference at the highest level.

Here, he was little more than window dressing, plodding around the field with little intent, offering little in the way of ingenuity, brilliance or threat.

He was there in body, but in mind? This isn't the Pogba that was promised and performances like that at Goodison Park on New Year's Day have been all too few and far between.

3. Delightful Correa needs more end product

(Image: REUTERS)

If Pogba's fitness was the question for the Red Devils in the lead up, then Joaquin Correa was Sevilla's main fitness doubt.

The 23-year-old Argentine limped out of Sevilla's weekend win over Las Palmas, but the ex-Estudiantes man was good to go here, starting on the left side of the hosts' attack.

He was the main danger to United from the off and asked plenty of questions of Antonio Valencia, with his clever footwork and hip shimmies.

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His approach work outside the penalty area and many of his clever touches, are first rate. But on two/three occasions he worked his way into the area and backed up his defender, only to let himself down with tame shooting.

This was his 60th game for Sevilla and he has just 14 goals; with his talent, that number should be much higher.

4. The brilliance of De Gea

(Image: REUTERS)

Quite simply, you've got to have one hell of an argument at your disposal to deny that the Spaniard is the world's best goalkeeper right now.

And on the stroke of half-time, the United keeper added to his stellar reputation with a save that was incredible, jaw-dropping and truly world class.

When Jesus Navas' cross fell onto the head of Muriel, the stand behind the goal were up in anticipation of the net bulging.

But as Muriel's forehead met the ball, De Gea was ready; he'd switched his attention, from the flight of the ball to the leaping striker, was bouncing on his toes, ready to spring, and remained calm. Muriel put power on his header from six yards, but De Gea, having readied himself, produced a magnificent, instinctive, reaction save.

(Image: REUTERS)

Perhaps the striker should have placed it better, but it's overly simplistic to simply say that. Such was the close proximity and the power, plus the excellence of the delivery, 99.99 per cent of goalkeepers simply don't make the save. De Gea did, leading to congratulates from teammates and even the striker.

It's why he is one of, if not the, best around.

5. United's unsettled defence

With Victor Lindelof and Ashley Young starting, as well as Chris Smalling - who Mourinho has never truly been convinced of - United's defence had a makeshift look about it.

Never really did it look settled against a Sevilla side that, fortunately for the visitors, lacked any real goal threat.

Sevilla had eight attempts on target, but only one - where Smalling was caught ball watching and De Gea saved his side - was a real standout opportunity.

United, for the most part, looked distinctly average. They'll be happy their opponents looked likewise.


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Laporan Pertandingan: Sevilla 0-0 Manchester United David De Gea menjadi pahlawan United dengan melakukan sejumlah penyelamatan krusial melawan Sevilla. OLEH  DEWI AGRENIAWATI Manchester United membawa pulang hasil imbang 0-0 dari kunjungan ke Sevilla pada leg pertama babak 16 besar Liga Champions, Kamis (22/2) dini hari WIB.

David De Gea menjadi penyelamat Setan Merah dengan mengamankan sejumlah peluang, termasuk sundulan Luis Muriel di pengujung babak pertama.

Keputusan Jose Mourinho mencadangkan Paul Pogba menimbulkan perdebatan dan eks pemain termahal dunia itu kemudian masuk di menit ke-17 menggantikan Ander Herrera yang cedera. Meski demikian, bintang Prancis tersebut gagal bersinar di tengah dominasi Sevilla. Terkait

Di babak kedua tuan rumah kembali dibuat frustrasi dan United mulai menguasai bola setelah satu jam ketika permainan mulai terbuka bagi kedua tim.

Kendati begitu, tidak satu pun tim yang menemukan gol di Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan, dengan Pablo Sarabia membuang kans emas untuk Sevilla di akhir laga, sehingga kedua tim mengantungi hasil seri 0-0 di leg kedua di Old Trafford pada 13 Maret mendatang.

Sevilla bermain menyerang dan memainkan sepakbola menarik di menit-menit awal. Hasilnya, Muriel memaksa De Gea melakukan penyelamatan gemilang dari jarak jauh di menit keempat dan tembakan Jesus Navas juga melebar tidak lama kemudian.

Pogba kemudian mendapat kesempatan untuk membungkam kritik ketika menggantikan Herrera, dan United tampak lebih stabil di lini tengah menyusul masuknya eks pemain Juventus itu.

Tidak perlu menunggu lama, kesempatan pertama pun datang untuk tim tamu, namun Romelu Lulaku melepaskan tendangan voli yang melambung setelah menerima umpan Alexis Sanchez.

Tim tamu cukup beruntung masih mempertahankan skor 0-0 saat jeda. Dea Gea menyelamatkan United dua kali tepat di pengujung babak pertama. Kiper asal Spanyol itu men-tip sundulan Mercado sebelum membuat penyelamatan menakjubkan untuk mementahkan usaha Muriel.

Sevilla tetap mendominasi di awal babak kedua, namun ketidakmampuan mereka menyelesaikan peluang dengan sempurna harus dibayar mahal.

Muriel menambah rasa frustrasi Sevilla sebelum satu jam, ketika tembakan kaki kirinya melebar.

De Gea kembali dipaksa jatuh bangun di menit ke-64 untuk mementahkan sundulan Clement Lenglet.

Di sisa 15 menit pertandingan, sudulan Sarabia dari jarak dekat setelah menerima umpan Muriel juga gagal mengoyak jala united, dan itu menjadi peluang terakhir karena tak ada gol tercipta hingga akhir laga.



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