Shamal George appeared to have done enough to earn the young Reds a point when he produced a stunning save from Sean Goss’ penalty 14 minutes from time, but there was nothing the goalkeeper could do to stop Willock’s late, late header from point-blank range.
Mike Garrity’s side had controlled large parts of the second half after an evenly-matched first period, only for a lapse in concentration to allow Willock to ghost in unmarked and convert an excellent inswinging free-kick from Goss in the game’s final meaningful passage of play.
The reverse represents only Liverpool’s second loss in their last 11 Premier League 2 outings, and they remain in third place in the table.