Everton Under-18s’ 13 game unbeaten run came to an end after goals from Okera Simmonds and Yan Dhanda handed Liverpool a 2-1 win in the mini-derby at USM Finch Farm.
This was first time Kevin Sheedy’s side had played in 2017 after a four week Christmas break.
Sheedy’s side were also weakened by the absences of Morgan Feeney, Beni Baningime and Antony Evans - all regulars so far this campaign.
However, despite the personnel changes and long layoff, they were much the better side throughout and unfortunate not to take something from a predictably hard-fought contest.
Indeed, the young Blues started the brighter, with Anthony Gordon going close to giving his side the lead. The midfielder collected Fraser Hornby’s knock down but his goal-bound effort was deflected wide by George Johnston.
Alex Denny then went close for Sheedy’s side. Denny was sent clear by Ben Pierce's long throw but, after a little hesitation, the midfielder’s low drive was comfortably collected by Kamil Grabara in the Liverpool goal.
On 29 minutes, the Blues were caught cold as from their first meaningful attack of the game, the visitors broke the deadlock. Rhian Brewster released Rafael Camacho down the Blues’ left and the Portuguese pulled the ball back to the onrushing Simmonds, whose first-time finish found the far corner of Pierce’s net.
Despite the setback, Everton picked themselves up and came back at Neil Critchley’s side, with Hornby heading over Daniel Brammall’s cross, before Brammall himself was sent clear by Jack Kiersey, only to lose his footing.
However, with 12 minutes remaining, the young Blues would find an equaliser. The dangerous Brammall was tripped inside the Reds’ box by Adam Lewis and referee Andrew Sykes had little hesitation in pointing to the spot. Hornby stepped up for the Blues and coolly converted, sending Grabara the wrong way in the process.
Shayne Lavery then went close to giving Everton the lead, but the Northern Irishman’s curling effort was saved by Grabara.
Ruefully, from there the Reds went straight up the other end and delivered another sucker-punch. Liam Millar’s cross was headed into Dhanda’s path by Glen McAuley and the forward took a couple of touches before firing past Pierce to hand his side all three points.
“I’m disappointed with the result but absolutely delighted with the performance,” Sheedy told evertonfc.com. “We were the better team by far and had the better players on the pitch, which is important at this level. I’m as pleased as you can be when you get beat, as I thought the performance was nearly excellent.
“The lads are really disappointed in there as we haven’t had a defeat in a while. But I’m sure if they continue to put performances in like they have today then we’ll be able to go on another unbeaten run.”
Next up for Sheedy's side is an FA Youth Cup tie against Preston North End at Deepdale on Wednesday.
Everton: Pierce, Moore (Mampala), Harrington, Denny, Lees, Collins, Bramall, Kiersey, Lavery, Hornby, Gordon (Scully). Subs not used: Jones, Duke-McKenna, Ball.
Liverpool: Grabara, Lattie (Owens), Lewis, Parker, Johnston, Masterson, Simmonds (McAuley), Camacho, Brewster, Dhanda, Millar. Subs not used: Williams, Adekanye, Hunter.
