Liverpool U23s began the new season with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Everton at the Academy.
Jake Cain’s fine finish inside the opening minute proved decisive in Sunday’s mini-derby in Premier League 2, with Barry Lewtas’ team putting in an impressive all-round performance to get the better of their neighbours.
Luis Longstaff had a goal disallowed for offside midway through the first half, before Caoimhin Kelleher made a stunning double save to deny Blues duo Ellis Simms and Nathan Broadhead.
Liverpool’s goalkeeper thwarted Simms again as Everton went in search of a late leveller, and Elijah Dixon-Bonner was then frustrated by Kelleher’s opposite number Harry Tyrer, who pulled off a stop down to his left as the young Reds tried to put the result beyond doubt on the counter-attack.