Jerome Sinclair scored twice but it was to be a frustrating night for Liverpool U21s, who lost 4-2 to Chelsea at Aldershot Town on Friday night.

It was the opening game of their Premier League International U21 Cup and Michael Beale’s charges can still make the quarter-finals with games to come against Benfica and Celtic.

The young Reds were excellent in the first half and showed great spirit and determination, especially when they trailed to a stunning sixth-minute opener from John Swift.

With Sinclair’s unselfish running down the left channel causing Chelsea problems, Connor Randall proving a great attacking outlet down the right and Jack Dunn pulling strings in central attack, Beale’s team fought back.

Sinclair drew Liverpool level with a superb left-footed finish when he capitalised on an error in the Chelsea rearguard.

The equaliser gave the young Reds huge confidence.

Randall was then unlucky to see his effort brilliantly saved by James Russell before Sinclair made it 2-1 with a team goal to remember on 35 minutes.

Dunn produced an exquisite piece of skill to beat Kasey Palmer and then feed the ball to the back post. Alex O’Hanlon did so well to perfectly execute a volleyed pass to Sinclair, who made no mistake from close range.

Sadly that was to be Dunn’s final contribution on the night as he suffered a hamstring injury when attempting to chase a loose ball and he left the field shortly before the half-time break.

With the absence of the influential Dunn, Chelsea grew in strength with Palmer in particular the main man for the home side.

Five minutes after the restart he showed great determination to drive into the Liverpool penalty area before clipping a low shot into the bottom corner of the net to make it 2-2.

Palmer made it 3-2 on 62 minutes when Swift’s cross found the unmarked No.10, who planted his header past Andy Firth.

Three minutes later Palmer claimed his hat-trick direct from a free-kick, although his effort took a wicked deflection off Pedro Chirivella that deceived Firth.

Substitute Matty Virtue nearly forced a potential late comeback when his effort came back off the bar after great work from Cameron Brannagan.

Liverpool U21s: Firth, Randall, Whelan, Cleary, Brewitt, Chirivella (Marsh), Madger Gomes, Brannagan, Sinclair, O’Hanlon, Dunn (Virtue). Subs not used: Wheeler, Polgar.