Liverpool U19s were eliminated from the UEFA Youth League at the last-16 stage with a 4-1 defeat to Benfica.
The Portuguese side surged into a three-goal lead inside the opening 26 minutes at Benfica Campus on Tuesday afternoon, with goals by Goncalo Ramos and Nuno Tavares sandwiching captain Tiago Dantas’ penalty.
Tyler Morton’s stunning half-volley in the latter stages of the first half gave Barry Lewtas’ team a foothold, and Vitezslav Jaros saved Dantas’ second spot-kick of the game in the final act of an eventful opening period.
But Ramos’ second just before the hour severely damaged the young Reds’ chances of an unlikely comeback, before a straight red card brandished to Sepp van den Berg for bringing down Dantas extinguished hope altogether.