Liverpool U23s fell to a 1-0 defeat in their Premier League 2 clash with Manchester City at the City Football Academy on Sunday.
The hosts produced the only goal of the game midway through the first half, from Netherlands youth international Jayden Braaf, and after twice hitting the woodwork the Reds could not find a leveller.
U23s boss Neil Critchley named a fairly young team for the contest with several of his regulars included in the first-team squad for the FA Cup tie against Everton at Anfield.
It was the home side who worked a goalkeeper first when Ben Knight’s low curler saw Ben Winterbottom dive low to his right to turn the ball round the post with just three minutes on the clock.