Defeat to Manchester United hurts no matter what the level for Liverpool.
But the manner in which the Reds meekly surrendered to their bitter North West rivals at Leigh on Saturday will have made the short coach journey home particularly painful.
The under-23s were fortunate to escape with a 3-0 defeat in their Premier League 2 clash having been comprehensively outplayed by United, for whom Bjorn Hardley, Shola Shoretire and Anthony Elanga netted.
Liverpool also had the ignominy of ending the game with 10 men after Dom Corness was shown a straight red card just seven minutes after coming on as a 75th-minute substitute.
READ MORE: Liverpool kit change for Manchester City showdown explained
United transfer prompts new debate
Eyebrows were raised this summer when Manchester United signed 35-year-old Paul McShane.
The centre-back, who won the FA Youth Cup with United in 2003, was brought back to play exclusively for the U23 side and impart his knowledge on his fledgling team-mates.
It has proven a divisive move, with those critical pointing to McShane effectively taking the place of a potential young talent in the line-up, blocking a pathway to the first team.
However, there’s little doubt Liverpool would have benefited from the experience and composure of McShane during a difficult encounter in which they were defensively in disarray - both at the back and in midfield - with worrying regularity.
Billy Koumetio helped gift United's third with an overly-ambitious pass out of the back, but he wasn't alone in falling short of previous standards.
While Liverpool have no intention of echoing United's McShane move, would Koumetio and his fellow defenders learn more from having someone like Nat Phillips in the side on occasion?
Quite how that would benefit Phillips is unclear. For now, the Reds' youngsters are going to have to work it out for themselves.
Musialowski a rare positive
The afternoon didn't start too well for Mateusz Musialowski as he looked to build on his brace in the 4-3 defeat at Chelsea last time out.
Barely a quarter of an hour had gone when the young Pole was left on the turf needing lengthy treatment after taking a heavy knock.
The rest of the first half wasn't much better as he cut an isolated figure down the centre of the Liverpool attack, starved of service as United easily contained any visiting forward forays.
But even in defeat there were suggestions Musialowski, still only 17, is adapting to life in the upper age group having impressed with the U18s last term.
Indeed, in the second half he was twice close to notching a consolation, one opportunity demonstrating his neat footwork and ability to jink away from defenders in tight spaces before his shot was held by United goalkeeper Matej Kovar.
And his later thrusting run and lay-off created a shooting chance for James Norris. On an afternoon of few positives, Musialowski's showing in the final quarter was something on which Liverpool could grasp.
Gordon absence felt
With 16-year-old flying winger Kaide Gordon absent, Liverpool had to find inspiration from elsewhere.
But it just didn't happen as too many players failed to do themselves justice.
James Balagizi, among those elevated to U23s level this season, was a peripheral figure for the most part in midfield as he continues to adjust to the step up.
Tyler Morton at least attempted to inject tempo into Liverpool's game but was too often swamped, while Max Woltman worked tirelessly down the left flank for precious little reward.
Many of those who featured at Leigh are expected to be called upon when a Liverpool U21 side returns to Greater Manchester to take on Bolton Wanderers in the EFL Trophy on Tuesday night. They will hope for better fortune.
