Coutinho and Can feature for U21s
Philippe Coutinho and Emre Can both played 45 minutes as Liverpool U21s lost 2-0 to Porto in the Steel Park Cup at Corby Town FC on Sunday afternoon.
The pair looked sharp as they returned to action following an extended break after playing in the Copa America and European U21 Championships respectively.
Coutinho and Can played in the opening half for Michael Beale's charges before they were replaced as was planned pre-match at half-time.
After drawing 3-3 with PSV Eindhoven in their opening game of the tournament on Saturday, the young Reds were hoping for a victory to try and take the title, but it was a tough afternoon against a talented Portugese team.
PSV were crowned overall champions after earlier beating Corby Town 3-0.
Ndubisi Agu gave Porto the lead following a corner and Ivo Rodrigues doubled the advantage from the penalty spot after Corey Whelan was penalised for a handball.
Reflecting on the outing, Beale told Liverpoolfc.com: "It was fantastic to have Philippe and Emre with us and they did really well in the planned 45 minute outing.
"Their attitude was absolutely fantastic and they were brilliant in the dressing room as well with our young lads.
"It was exciting for the supporters at Corby Town to see players of the calibre of Philippe and Emre in action, and I've been lucky to work with them in training this week.
"Overall Porto were much older than us and are ahead of us in their physical preparation at this stage.
"The penalty was very harsh for the second goal and I think even the Porto players were quite surprised when it was given.
"I've been pleased with the players though this weekend. We have faced two tough games against very good opposition.
"We had the chances to have beaten PSV but just couldn't find the winner, and again today we had some good openings but were guilty of trying to get the perfect goal.
"I'm very pleased with our work so far though and we face Chester's first team on Wednesday before playing Morecambe's first team next Saturday, so they will be two good tests for us."
Liverpool U21s: Vigouroux, McLaughlin (Virtue 65), Hart, Paez (Polgar 65), Whelan (Brewitt 65), Can (Randall 45), Dunn (Madger Gomes 65), Brannagan (O'Hanlon 65), Yesil (Sinclair 45), Coutinho (Phillips 45), Canos (Marsh 65).