Liverpool U23s suffered a 4-1 home defeat against Derby County on a disappointing afternoon at the Kirkby Academy on Sunday.
The visitors struck three times during the first half of the Premier League 2 contest to leave the Reds with much work to do.
Derby then increased their advantage after the break, meaning Remi Savage’s late header represented only a consolation for the home team.
Barry Lewtas’ charges had fashioned the game’s first chance when Jake Cain’s corner was headed narrowly wide by captain Ben Woodburn.
But it was Derby who broke through on 17 minutes as a low free-kick from the left evaded everyone and reached captain Jordan Brown, who fired home from beyond the back post.