Liverpool under-18s began the year in frustrating fashion as they slipped to defeat at home to Blackburn Rovers.
Goals from Terrence Miles and Iwan Roberts weren't enough as the young Reds were beaten 3-2 at the Academy in Kirkby on Saturday afternoon.
Marc Bridge-Wilkinson's side have now suffered four successive defeats in the U18 Premier League North to slip to seventh in the table, with Blackburn having now moved off the bottom of the standings.
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The Reds went ahead after only nine minutes when Miles thumped a header beyond Blackburn goalkeeper William Blease from a Tommy Pilling corner. But the lead lasted only six minutes when, after Francis Gyimah fouled Brandon Powell inside the area, Junior Nsanguo converted from the spot.
Pilling hit the bar before half-time, but Blackburn's second-half dominance was rewarded when they took the lead on 65 minutes through Ben Thirkill. Liverpool struck back almost immediately with Pilling again the provider, his low cross slid home by Roberts. But the visitors earned the points on 73 minutes when Ari Shaw netted.
Liverpool U18s are next in action on Wednesday when they travel to Port Vale for their FA Youth Cup fourth round tie (kick-off 7pm).
LIVERPOOL U18 (4-3-3): Hewitson; Gyimah, Lucky (Pitt 46), Miles, Giblin; Pilling, Pennington (Ahmed 82), Morrison (Onanuga 72); Gift, Roberts, Young (Davidson 72). Sub: Trueman.
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