U21s defeated by Manchester City at Anfield

The young Reds were hoping to make it five victories on the bounce as they faced the Blues, but goals from Ashley Smith-Brown, Brandon Barker and David Faupala gave the visitors a deserved three points.

Michael Beale fielded a relatively young starting XI with Ryan Kent and Harry Wilson supporting Jerome Sinclair in attack, while Brooks Lennon and U21s debutant Trent Alexander-Arnold were included following their impressive displays for the U18s in an FA Youth Cup win over Nottingham Forest on Thursday night.

The hosts came flying out of the blocks as Matty Virtue went close with under two minutes on the clock when he fired a long-range effort just over the bar.

Sinclair then dispossessed a City defender and went on a penetrating run before squaring for Kent - who saw his goalbound shot blocked.  

However, the Blues were awakened by that initial pressure, and Reds goalkeeper Adam Bogdan reacted well to stop Angelino's deflected cross from ending up in the back of net after 18 minutes.

The Hungarian then prevented George Glendon from breaking the deadlock moments later when he latched onto Sinan Bytyqi's pass but couldn't finish one-on-one.

City continued to heap on the pressure with Joe Maguire producing a brilliant last-ditch block from Glendon before Barker and Bersant Celina were both denied by Bogdan.

But the 'keeper was unable to do anything with the game’s opening goal, which saw Smith-Brown go on wonderful weaving run in the penalty area before coolly firing home.

The Reds looked to get on the front foot after the interval, with Kent unfortunate not to apply the finish to Wilson's cross before Sinclair followed up and blazed over.

But City secured a two-goal advantage midway into the second half as a long free-kick upfield from Aleix Garcia found Barker, who ran in behind and calmly slotted home around the hour mark.

Nine minutes later they almost added a third, Bytyqi hitting the post right from a yard out off a rebound from a Bogdan save.

Liverpool fought back immediately, and were unfortunate not to score when Sinclair headed just wide from Kent's cross and Alex O'Hanlon dragged a shot from a counter sparked by Matty Virtue clearing off his own line.

However, substitute Faupala wrapped up proceedings in the final minute of the 90 to seal the victory, producing a good finish after the Reds were caught short at the back on the counter.

Liverpool: Bogdan, Alexander-Arnold (Gomes, 75), Hart (Brewitt, 45), Cleary, Maguire, Virtue, Lennon (Phillips, 45), O’Hanlon, Sinclair, Kent, Wilson.