Liverpool U18s lost out to a stoppage-time goal as Wolverhampton Wanderers claimed a 2-1 victory over the young Reds’ 10 men.
Saturday’s league fixture at the Sir Jack Hayward Training Ground turned on Luca Stephenson’s dismissal for deliberate handball on the goalline 20 minutes from time.
Wolves captain Oliver Tipton duly converted the resulting penalty to cancel out Layton Stewart’s 10th goal of the season, which was Liverpool’s reward for a strong start to the game.
Marc Bridge-Wilkinson’s team, who were denied on several occasions by Wolves goalkeeper Joe O’Shaughnessy prior to the red card, actually looked the more likely side to snatch a late winner as they reacted positively to being at a numerical disadvantage.