Liverpool U21s lost out in a penalty shootout against League One side Fleetwood Town after an entertaining Leasing.com Trophy encounter ended 1-1.
Neco Williams’ equaliser was enough for the young Reds to secure their first point in the group but they missed out on the opportunity of a bonus point after losing the spot-kick battle 4-3 at Highbury Stadium.
Williams, Layton Stewart and Elijah Dixon-Bonner all converted their penalties but Fleetwood goalkeeper Matt Gilks saved from Jake Cain and Tom Clayton to take the bonus.
With several of his squad enjoying the trip to MK Dons with Jürgen Klopp’s first team, Neil Critchley named a youthful line-up with Stewart, Billy Koumetio, Cain and Tom Hill all stepping up from Barry Lewtas’ U18 side.