Marcel Brands and Leighton Baines were in the stands to watch Everton's under-18s lose a dramatic game with Liverpool.
The young Blues had drawn level in time added on in Kirkby when striker Tom Cannon converted a 92nd minute penalty.
But Liverpool, who had taken the lead after just 28 seconds through Melkamu Frauendorf, went back in front two minutes later through Mateusz Musialowski to break Everton hearts, with Academy Director David Unsworth also watching on.
U-18s boss Paul Tait told the club website: “That’s a really tough one to take.
"Everything in the game, apart from the first minute and the last minute, was terrific.
“The goal at the beginning knocked us a bit but after that we created some really good chances and half-chances. But it’s all immaterial when you do well and work ever so hard, which every single one of them did, and get yourself in a wonderful position at the end but then don’t see the game out.
"They didn’t show the right mentality or the right defensive nous and it’s gutting for them. It’s sickening for the staff and the players.
"In derby games, a lot of the stuff that goes in between goals is irrelevant, because it doesn’t matter what level you play at, it’s all about the result.
"We’ll take some positives from the performance when we look at it on Monday, but not now because the lads are hurting."
