Liverpool endured a miserable afternoon as they slipped to a dramatic UEFA Youth League defeat.
A goal in the third minute of injury time from substitute Sam Krawczyk gave Genk a deserved 1-0 win over a hugely below par young Reds at the Academy in Kirkby on Tuesday.
The game had switched venue late the previous evening after the pitch at St Helens was deemed unplayable.
But being among familiar surroundings did little to inspire Barry Lewtas' side against the organised and hugely competitive Belgian visitors.
Liverpool were without Curtis Jones, goalscorer in the 2-0 win at Genk last month, the 18-year-old having been elevated to the first-team squad.
With Rhian Brewster taking over as skipper, the young Reds took an age to click into gear.
Neco Williams had Liverpool's best chance before the interval, forcing a low save from Genk goalkeeper Tobe Leysen after a fine run out of midfield and pass from Leighton Clarkson.
Genk, though, were consistently the more dangerous team, particularly diminutive right-winger Ilias Takidine who had an outstanding opening 45 minutes.
The Genk youngster hit the underside of the bar with one fierce effort from 20 yards and was off target with a number of other efforts.
But Liverpool were fortunate Takidine was wayward with his most presentable chance, dragging a clear shooting opportunity narrowly wide that Morgan Boyes helped on its way behind with a clearing header.
The second half was a predominantly turgid affair, Brewster hugely isolated as the Reds continually coughed up possession.
Substitute Jake Cain was wastefully over from Luis Longstaff's cutback, while at the other end Genk winger Luca Oyen curled over after initially slipping inside the area.
Only some last-gasp defending prevented another Liverpool substitute, Tom Hill, from tapping in a low cross from James Norris.
But there could be few real complaints when, after a scramble inside the area three minutes into injury time, Krawczyk forced the ball home.
With Salzburg winning 5-1 in Group E's other game on Tuesday afternoon, Liverpool and Genk are now level with the Austrians on seven points. Napoli are bottom on one point.
LIVERPOOL (4-3-3): Okrzynski; Williams, Van den Berg, Boyes, Norris; Clarkson, Dixon-Bonner (Cain 65), Longstaff; Elliott, Brewster, Larouci (Hill 65), Subs: Winterbottom, Koumetio, Clayton, Savage, Morton.
