Liverpool U23s were defeated 6-3 by Manchester United at the Academy on Saturday afternoon.
Goals from Tyler Morton and Luis Longstaff saw the young Reds fight back from two down to go in all square at the break amid typically blustery conditions in Kirkby.
But United, for whom Amad Diallo and Joe Hugill netted in the first half, emerged the stronger side in the second 45 and reassumed their lead through Hugill.
United’s No.9 went on to convert the visitors’ first penalty and score again to end the match with four goals to his name, with Diallo adding another spot-kick late on.