Liverpool Under-21s lose to Man Utd as two absences hint at senior Carabao Cup team
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Liverpool's Under-21s were beaten 2-1 by Manchester United at the Kirkby Academy on Sunday in Premier League 2.
The Reds took the lead through Michael Laffey's goal but were undone by efforts from Chido Obi and Jayden Kamason.
There was an impeccably observed minute's silence for Matt Beard, before kick-off, after the former Liverpool Women's manager's death was confirmed by the club on Saturday evening.
The 47-year-old won back-to-back Women’s Super League titles in 2013 and 2014, and also led the team in their first Champions League campaign.
The young Reds took the lead inside 11 minutes when Laffey nodded home from close after excellent link-up play between Lucas Pitt and Joe Bradshaw, whose initial shot was saved from an acute angle.
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Centre-back Carter Pinnington made an important block to deny Manchester United debutant Diego Leon after half an hour before the Paraguayan full-back went in the book for a cynical foul on Josh Davidson after being robbed of possession.
Liverpool dominated the first half, which was overseen by senior midfielder Dominik Szoboszlai, who paid a visit to the Academy with his agent, Matyas Esterhazy, who also looks after summer signing Armin Pecsi and the pair will have been impressed by the performance of the young goalkeeper.
Pecsi started for Rob Page's side and made a handful of important stops, particularly in the second period.
Before then Laffey released Trent Kone-Doherty later in the half but his strike across goal was well by saved by William Murdock shortly before the Red Devils levelled.
Obi, who made his Premier League debut for Ruben Amorim's seniors last season, equalised at the end of the first half after a driving run from Tyler Fletcher and the visitors almost had the lead after the break when Shea Lacey's cross was headed on to the bar by the impressive Kamason.
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Hungarian goalkeeper Pecsi did well to close down the angle after the hour mark to deny Obi later in the game before the summer signing from Puskas Akademia made an exceptional stop to keep out Lacey's curling effort.
Page's side also had Rio Ngumoha and Jayden Danns watching on ahead of Tuesday's Carabao Cup meeting with Southampton.
Danns may even be tasked with leading the line at Anfield against the Championship side, while Ngumoha is expected to start on the left side of the attack.
Figueroa went close when he hit the post from Kone-Doherty's cross but it was Kamason swept home for 2-1 inside the final 10 minutes after an initial save from Pecsi.