Brazil international Arthur Melo started for Liverpool Under-21s in their Papa Johns Trophy defeat by League Two strugglers Rochdale.
The 26-year-old was subbed off after an hour for 33-year-old player-coach Jay Spearing, before Tahvon Campbell scored a late winner for Dale.
Reds defender Oludare Olufunwa was then shown a second yellow for a foul in the penalty area, but Ian Henderson saw his penalty saved..
The loss means Liverpool have been beaten in both of their games in this year's competition and are out.
Fellow Premier League under-21 sides Tottenham, Newcastle and Arsenal fell to defeats by Peterborough, Barnsley and Ipswich respectively.