By John Drayton

PUBLISHED: 18:19 EST, 25 February 2013 | UPDATED: 01:40 EST, 26 February 2013


Young Liverpool striker Adam Morgan was confronted by a pitch invader during ugly scenes at the Premier League Under 21 clash with Manchester United.

Morgan, 18, shrugged off the encounter which followed a flare being thrown on to the pitch at Langtree Park, the home of St Helens rugby league team on Monday night.

Raucous: Manchester United fans brought smoke bombs and a flare to the U21 match at Langtree Park

Raucous: Manchester United fans brought smoke bombs and a flare to the U21 match at Langtree Park

Players cover their mouths because of the smoke

Man United claimed a dramatic 1-0 victory over their bitter rivals team thanks to Michele Fornasier's last-gasp strike.

The Italian defender pounced from close range just as it seemed Warren Joyce's side would be denied victory in front of a large crowd.

Alex Buttner and Nick Powell started for United, along with Jeffery Schlupp who is on trial from Leicester, while Raheem Sterling, Suso, Andre Wisdom and Jonjo Shelvey lined up for Liverpool in the Barclays Premier League Under 21 clash.

The home side had Stephen Sama sent off early in the second half for his second yellow card.

But the visitors almost failed to capitalise on the dismissal of Sama, spurning several good chances to score before Fornasier's late strike.

Interruption: A Manchester United supporter runs onto the pitch to confront Liverpool's Adam Morgan

Interruption: A Manchester United supporter runs onto the pitch to confront Liverpool's Adam Morgan

Step down: Raheem Sterling was in action for Liverpool's U21s

Step down: Raheem Sterling was in action for Liverpool's U21s

On target: United's Michele Fornasier celebrates scoring a late winning goal

On target: United's Michele Fornasier celebrates scoring a late winning goal


The comments below have been moderated in advance.

Red flare? Oh yeah very scary. Flares are all the norm on the continent.

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Throw them out of the competition and give the game to Liverpool. Will never happen, but until the authorities take real action, this problem will persist.

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As a lifelong United supporter, these "fans" are an embarrassment to Manchester United, to its fans and to football in general. I hope the authorities take the appropriate action and that the club itself bans them from any of its grounds for a very long time.

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Embarrassing... I remember those Man United U21 "supporters" ran onto the pitch at the Etihad Stadium in the Senior Cup last year just days after City won the title. Pathetic really. Where are the lifetime bans so football can get rid of these idiots once and for all? It's not as if football matches are not policed these days. In fact they are over policed - it's just the idiots in the minority who prefer to ruin it and never get punished.

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United beat Liverpool again shock!

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smoke bomb's/flare's should never be thrown on the pitch. Lets get that clear. But the real shameful act is that at English games you can't see flares or smoke bombs at games. They make for great viewing, show the passion of the fans and make for great atmosphere. Stadiums and away section's have become boring places without them. AMF!

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Nothing new........

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Love it!

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well sterling, shelvey and wisdom should be ashamed of themselves... they are the most senior players there

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They're a bit sad aren't they? They'll be taking flares to the U8's matches next. Grow up.

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