Liverpool youngster singled out by delighted manager after bouncing back from adversity

Dundee United boss Jim Goodwin was full of praise for Liverpool loanee Luca Stephenson after a rollercoaster match against Kilmarnock, where the young defender bounced back from recent adversity.

Despite conceding a costly penalty in their Premier Sports Cup exit last week, Stephenson showed no signs of self-doubt as he put in a gutsy performance at Rugby Park on Saturday.

He was integral to his team throughout, not only assisting Louis Moult with a sharp cutback for the first goal but also earning a crucial penalty in the dying moments of the match, securing a valuable point in the William Hill Premiership for Dundee United.

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Even after taking an early lead, United were momentarily setback as they trailed 3-1, with David Watson bagging a brace and Marley Watkins netting another. Yet, United's resilience shone through as Craig Sibbald's distance hit brought hope, and Ross Graham equalised at the death following Stephenson's won penalty.

Commenting on the action, boss Goodwin said: "With the penalty, it's clever from Luca Stephenson to get himself goal side of the Kilmarnock defender, who is ball watching a bit and there is contact with his left calf which leads to the penalty.

"Stephenson held his hands up in the dressing room after that rash decision at Fir Park last weekend (to give away a penalty). Nobody in their career has probably done it as much as I have so I have every sympathy for him but he's man enough to own up to it.

"The players and the staff all got round him and picked his head up and he showed a positive reaction today. We've got to remember the boy's age as well and where he's come from. He's had a great education at Liverpool and we're hoping to continue that. He'll learn from situations like that and games like today are important moments in all the players' careers as well."