James Balagizi continued his return to fitness with two assists as Liverpool warmed up for their FA Youth Cup campaign with a comfortable U18 Premier League North win.
Balagizi, who last week made his comeback after almost three months out with an ankle injury, created second-half goals for Dominic Corness and Max Woltman as the young Reds cruised to a 3-0 win at Newcastle United on Saturday.
The result kept Liverpool, who are in third place, just three points behind leaders Manchester United.
Mateusz Musialowski sent the Reds on their way with the opener after just nine minutes, the 17-year-old summer signing's fifth goal of the season and third in his last four U18 appearances.
Liverpool - who were without new boy Kaide Gordon - dominated a game played in blustery conditions, and sealed the points with two goals early in the second half.
First Balagizi set up Corness for the second two minutes after the restart, and was then provider for Woltman to net eight minutes later.
Midfield duo Balagizi and Luca Stephenson - also making his first start since December - were replaced midway through the second half, with Luke Chambers introduced having been sidelined for more than four months.
And U18s boss Marc Bridge-Wilkinson said to liverpoolfc.com: "It was quite an open game – probably more open than we'd have wanted it to be – but the lads did well.
"They coped with the wind really well in the first half and in the second half the early goal and then obviously scoring again afterwards made it a little more comfortable.
"But a decent performance overall and well worth the win."
Liverpool U18s now turn their attentions to the FA Youth Cup where they entertain Sutton United on Tuesday evening (kick-off 7pm). The winners take on Manchester United in the fourth round.
LIVERPOOL U18s : Mrozek; Mabaya, Jonas, Quansah, Norris; Stephenson (Chambers 63), Corness, Balagizi (McConnell 69); Ennis, Musialowski, Woltman. Sub: Kelly.
