THE under 18s began their pre-season with a 4-0 defeat to Liverpool at the Reds’ Academy in Kirkby.
The hosts took an early lead when a free-kick found an unmarked Liverpool player at the back post and he nodded it into the net.
On 16 minutes, it was 2-0. A quick breakaway saw Liverpool move the ball from back to front in a matter of passes and a simple pass in the box allowed the hosts to double the lead.
Ben Hart produced two fearless goal-line blocks to keep the score at 2-0, but a duo of goals in the space of two minutes put Liverpool 4-0 ahead.
First, A looping cross was spilled by Oliver Fairbrother and tapped-in, before Liverpool forged another opportunity and scored with a low drive moments later to make it 4-0 before half-time.
The second-half was a much tighter affair. The Young Brewers started it strongly when Jack Holmes drove at the Liverpool defence, but his cross went behind for a goal kick. Albion also threatened from a couple corners but were unable to breach a tight Liverpool defence.
Liverpool had the best chances of the half. They first blazed over from a quick break, before Regan Ganley and Ben Hart produced heroic goal line blocks to ensure the game ended 4-0 and the second-half remained goalless.