AcademyU18s match report: Liverpool beaten at home by Brighton in cup opener
Liverpool's journey in this season's U18 Premier League Cup began with a 2-1 defeat at home to Brighton & Hove Albion.
The Group E opener at the Kirkby Academy was settled by a second-half finish from Finn Dzekawong.
Jacob Parsons put the Reds a goal down early on but they levelled after half-time through Charlie Huth.
The Seagulls' strong start to the affair was rewarded with the opening goal after seven minutes.
Parsons curled first-time past James Hilditch from the left side of the box, having been teed up by Bailey Palmer's powerful run up the pitch.
The scorer could have had a second five minutes later off a corner but, to Liverpool's relief, struck the side-netting.
The Reds had nice patterns of play during the first half without creating clear-cut opportunities and needed a Harvey Owen block to ensure they were only 1-0 down at the break.
Parsons again came close to doubling Brighton's lead, heading Palmer's cross wide from a few yards out.
That let-off was capitalised on by the hosts, who drew level on the hour mark.
Huth kept his composure to convert inside a crowded penalty area when he was found by a Daniel Majekodunmi pull-back.
But it was only level for four minutes as Dzekawong rifled the Seagulls back in front with a low hit into the far corner.
Hilditch kept Liverpool alive in the game by tipping substitute Chris Condy's strike onto the crossbar.
Goalkeeper Charlie Wilson-Papps denied substitute AJ Yeguo a late equaliser, confirming the points would return to the south coast.
Team
Liverpool: Hilditch, Ekiugbo, Owen (Garin, 64), Moran (Conde, 80), Garan (Clarke, 71), Phillips, Huth (Inglethorpe, 64), Murray-Holme, Coxon, Hickman (Yeguo, 64), Majekodunmi.
Unused subs: W. Wright, John-Charles.
Goal: Huth (61).
Next up
The second fixture in the competition for Simon Wiles' side sees them head to Stoke City in October.
Up next, though, is a trip to Wolverhampton Wanderers in the league this Saturday (12pm BST kick-off).