Everton Under-18s boss Paul Tait insisted the “effort, desire and determination” from his side could not be faulted after the young Blues were edged out 4-3 by Liverpool on Thursday night.
The defeat was the Toffees’ first of the season and they remain top of the Premier League 2 table, one point ahead of their city rivals.
Everton looked to have secured a point at Liverpool’s Academy when skipper Kieran Phillips struck to make it 3-3 on 79 minutes.
But, in the 90th minute, Jack Bearne flicked in Leighton Clarkson’s free-kick to give the Reds the victory.