Liverpool U21s were denied the local bragging rights as a late goal saw them held to a 3-3 draw by Everton in a thrilling first mini-derby of the season.

Harry Wilson opened the scoring from the spot early on before Joao Carlos Teixeira and Sergi Canos put the visitors firmly in control as the game headed toward half-time.

However, a deflected effort from Joe Williams before the break and Conor McAleny's second-half strike brought David Unsworth's side back into the game.

And substitute Tom Davies completed the comeback with five minutes remaining as he poked home following a save from Ryan Fulton.

Michael Beale named a strong side for the derby encounter, with Portuguese duo Teixeira and Tiago Ilori both made available for selection.

The hosts, meanwhile, handed a debut to summer signing Mason Holgate, who arrived at the club from League One side Barnsley only last week.

As is so often the case in derby encounters, both sides could only muster a cagey start but, after an attempted clearance from Joe Maguire forced Fulton into action early on, the Reds began to assert themselves.

Jack Dunn found space in front of the back four to unleash a weak shot on goal before Teixeira had an effort blocked from the same area. 

And when the visitors next broke through the midfield, Holgate found Wilson to be too fleet-footed and could only bring the winger down inside the area.

The subsequent penalty was coolly dispatched by the man who had won it, and it did not take long for Beale's men to double their lead.

Teixeira was the scorer this time, with the midfielder collecting the ball at the edge of the area before smashing home emphatically.

The Reds almost made it three before the break when Jordan Rossiter's left-footed cross deceived opposition goalkeeper Mateusz Hewelt, but Dunn could only divert the ball onto the post. 

They would not be denied, however, with Canos thrashing home after both Matthew Pennington and Liam Walsh had headed brilliantly off the line for Everton.

There was still time for the hosts to get a goal of their own prior to half-time but it came in somewhat fortuitous circumstances, as Dan Cleary's header diverted Williams' long-distance effort over Fulton and into the net.

After enjoying a comfortable return to action in what was his first run-out since playing at the European U21 Championship this summer, Ilori was withdrawn at half-time to be replaced by Tom Brewitt.

The Scouse defender was thrown straight into the heart of the action as Everton looked to get themselves within touching distance as early as possible in the second half.

But Liverpool quickly fought back, and only an excellent stop from Hewelt prevented Dunn from making it four after Teixeira's corner had hit the post.

Everton were left rueing a missed chance of their own on the hour mark when Sam Byrne headed over from close range as he looked to meet an inviting cross.

But McAleny's controlled effort from the edge of the box soon after found the far corner, and dragged the hosts back into the game in the process.

The Whiston-born striker came close to bringing Everton level in the immediate aftermath as he forced Fulton into a sharp save with 15 minutes of the game remaining.

But it was Davies who emerged as the hero for the Toffees, with the substitute - who was perhaps lucky only to see yellow for a strong challenge on Cleary earlier in the game - tapping home a rebound off the keeper to ensure it ended honours even.

Liverpool: Fulton, Randall, Maguire, Cleary, Ilori (Brewitt, 46), Rossiter, Canos (Chirivella, 61), Brannagan, Dunn, Teixiera, Wilson.