After losing the first leg at Anfield 2-1 the Reds were up against it at Old Trafford tonight but Steve Heighway's team did him proud as they recorded a 1-0 win to level the aggregate score at 2-2 before winning a penalty shoot-out in front of the Stretford End.
Manchester United created a few chances in the first half but goalkeeper David Roberts, recalled to the team after Martin Hansen broke a finger, made some good saves to keep Utd out. As the first half wore on Liverpool began to take a grip of the game and created some good chances of their own.
The best chance of the half fell to Craig Lindfield after some good work on the Liverpool right from Ryan Flynn and Jimmy Ryan. Ryan's cross beat both United centre-backs but unfortunately Lindfield headed narrowly over the bar.
After the interval Liverpool stepped up a gear again and dominated the game. They got a deserved goal ten minutes into the half when Robbie Threlfall, who had scored an own goal in the first leg, brought the ball down just inside the United 18 yard box and curled a shot into the left hand corner of the net.
Liverpool pushed for the winner with Astrit Ajdarevic and Charlie Barnett pulling the strings in midfield. The best chance to wrap things up came eight minutes from time when Ray Putterill brought a difficult ball under control, turned the defender and curled a clever shot, which had the Utd keeper beaten all ends up, narrowly wide.
Man Utd tried to create something at the other end but with captain and man of the match Jay Spearing dominant at the back alongside last season's skipper Stephen Darby and Michael Burns an equaliser looked unlikely.
The game went into extra time and again Liverpool were the better side. Lindfield came closest to scoring a winner two minutes into the additional half hour when he controlled a Ryan cross before hitting his shot against the post.
United had one chance in the second period of extra time but Roberts was equal to the shot and made a comfortable save.
The match finished 1-0 to the Reds, 2-2 on aggregate so the final was to be settled by a penalty shoot out. Liverpool have a very good record in penalty shoot outs and the under 18's ensured that run kept going.
David Roberts saved the first penalty of the shoot out to put the Reds on the front foot. Liverpool then scored all four of their penalties, Ray Putterill, Craig Lindfield, Ryan Flynn and Robbie Threlfall converting, before Man Utd captain Sam Hewson skied his pen over the bar to ensure Liverpool became only the fifth team to retain the FA Youth Cup.
Manchester United created a few chances in the first half but goalkeeper David Roberts, recalled to the team after Martin Hansen broke a finger, made some good saves to keep Utd out. As the first half wore on Liverpool began to take a grip of the game and created some good chances of their own.
The best chance of the half fell to Craig Lindfield after some good work on the Liverpool right from Ryan Flynn and Jimmy Ryan. Ryan's cross beat both United centre-backs but unfortunately Lindfield headed narrowly over the bar.
After the interval Liverpool stepped up a gear again and dominated the game. They got a deserved goal ten minutes into the half when Robbie Threlfall, who had scored an own goal in the first leg, brought the ball down just inside the United 18 yard box and curled a shot into the left hand corner of the net.
Liverpool pushed for the winner with Astrit Ajdarevic and Charlie Barnett pulling the strings in midfield. The best chance to wrap things up came eight minutes from time when Ray Putterill brought a difficult ball under control, turned the defender and curled a clever shot, which had the Utd keeper beaten all ends up, narrowly wide.
Man Utd tried to create something at the other end but with captain and man of the match Jay Spearing dominant at the back alongside last season's skipper Stephen Darby and Michael Burns an equaliser looked unlikely.
The game went into extra time and again Liverpool were the better side. Lindfield came closest to scoring a winner two minutes into the additional half hour when he controlled a Ryan cross before hitting his shot against the post.
United had one chance in the second period of extra time but Roberts was equal to the shot and made a comfortable save.
The match finished 1-0 to the Reds, 2-2 on aggregate so the final was to be settled by a penalty shoot out. Liverpool have a very good record in penalty shoot outs and the under 18's ensured that run kept going.
David Roberts saved the first penalty of the shoot out to put the Reds on the front foot. Liverpool then scored all four of their penalties, Ray Putterill, Craig Lindfield, Ryan Flynn and Robbie Threlfall converting, before Man Utd captain Sam Hewson skied his pen over the bar to ensure Liverpool became only the fifth team to retain the FA Youth Cup.