Valiant U19s harshly beaten in Madrid

The Reds fell behind in the opening exchanges when Cristian Cedres whipped home an outstanding free-kick, only for Cameron Brannagan to deservedly register a response moments before the interval with a clever conversion.

Continued dominance from the outset of the second half did not yield another goal, however, giving Real an opportunity to take the points via a quick-fire double through Jack Harper and Borja Mayoral and Jose Carlos Lazo's late lob.

Thunderous chords had welcomed the two teams to the turf on a crisp, bitterly cold afternoon in Madrid, with the hosts' resonant anthem teeing up an encounter that promised much in terms of entertainment following the breathless meeting two weeks ago.

The young Reds had kicked off that tie in electric fashion but it was an altogether different beginning this time around. For, with six minutes on the clock, Cedres took charge at a set-piece 25 yards from Ryan Fulton's goal and promptly curled the ball into the bottom left corner.

Jerome Sinclair's attempts to produce a response from close range were scuppered when, having collected an outside-of-the-boot delivery from the right flank by Brannagan, the prolific striker was crowded out by a combination of defence and goalkeeper.

Fulton mopped up a hit by Jean Carlos that lacked any threatening power, while a perfectly-executed sliding challenge by Daniel Cleary ensured that Mayoral was unable to send an effort hurtling toward the target.

There was no panic in Neil Critchley's charges, though, no rush or concern to force the game. Instead, they simply set about using possession and a collective calmness to establish a foothold, with the ambition a leveller.

It arrived before the break too, courtesy of a sublime Brannagan finish. Drifting around the back of the Spaniards' defence, the midfielder strode into space and once more showed his technique by poking a precise shot past David Oliveros' palm and into the net.

Following the pause for half-time, Liverpool continued to push forward with intent and, after Ryan Kent and Harry Wilson had each gone close from dead-ball situations, Sinclair watched with frustration as a promising chance inside the box sailed over the crossbar.

It did not stop there and Wilson must have expected to score on 57 minutes when released in behind and clear, but the Welsh winger's strike was deflected off the 'keeper and subsequently knocked away by Javier Sanchez as the ball rolled goalwards.

Back came Los Blancos, bemoaning the bounce off a post when substitute Lazo crashed a shot from the right channel, while Mayoral fired narrowly wide of the woodwork as he lost balance with a quarter of the tie remaining.

But it was the home side who did find the pivotal contribution, with 73 minutes played. A swinging cross into Reds territory caused problems and allowed Harper to grasp control and divert beyond a helpless Fulton.

Shortly after, the advantage was increased as Jordan Rossiter was penalised for a push inside the area. Up stepped Mayoral to coolly send the spot-kick to the left hand side, and a fine lob by Lazo soon sealed a result that was harsh on a valiant display by the travellers.

Liverpool U19s: Fulton, Whelan (Alexander), Maguire, Cleary, Brewitt, Rossiter, Brannagan, Wilson, Sinclair (Ojo), Kent, O'Hanlon (Canos). Unused substitutes: Firth, Marsh, Dhanda, Kane.