AcademyU18s match report: Liverpool beaten by Manchester United in Kirkby

The visitors struck the opening goal in the first real attack of any merit during the U18 Premier League North contest.

Bendito Mantato was the player to net after driving to the area and firing low past Kornel Misciur.

The Reds attempted a response with Joe Bradshaw delivering an inviting low cross from the right, ahead of Finn Inglethorpe rounding the goalkeeper.

However, the forward could only find the side-netting with his resulting effort as the defence retreated quickly.

La'More Lee Forrester then forced a reaction save from goalkeeper Cameron Byrne-Hughes, swivelling on the edge of the box to shoot at goal, only to be denied by the stopper's fingertips.

Two minutes ahead of the interval, though, United doubled their advantage thanks to a fine individual goal from JJ Gabriel.

After surging into the box, he cut one way and then another, before placing a shot into the far corner of the net.

Liverpool threatened with the first chance of the second period as Inglethorpe's guided header fell the wrong side of the goal.

Jay McEvoy then went close for United with a header of his own, though the visitors turned in a clinical performance as the half continued.

Gabriel netted his second of the afternoon with another clever run into the area, ahead of firing emphatically into the roof of the net from close range.

Substitute Rafe McCormack also scrambled the ball home from a corner as the young Reds failed to clear, while Jim Thwaites converted a penalty to make it five.

Another substitute in Samuel Lusale struck the visitors' sixth, rounding Misciur to score from a tight angle, while Gabriel completed his hat-trick with a low driven effort inside the box.

Team

Liverpool U18s: Misciur, O'Connor (Powney Wain, 77), Ayman, Hawkins, Owen, Upton, Bradshaw, Hickman (Eden, 84), Sonni-Lambie, Inglethorpe (Farkas, 60), Lee Forrester.

Unused subs: Bernard, Huth.

Next up

Liverpool U18s return to action on Saturday December 6 when they travel to face Middlesbrough.

Kick-off in the U18 Premier League North contest is set for 12.30pm GMT.