AcademyU19s match report: Liverpool beaten in friendly fixture at Marseille
The young squad travelled out to France in lieu of a UEFA Youth League fixture alongside the senior team's match.
Rob Page's team are set to face MSK Zilina in that competition's Round of 32 stage on Tuesday February 3.
An opening chance of the game at Stade Francis Turcan came for the visitors with just three minutes on the clock.
An Amara Nallo tackle turned over possession for Liverpool and Will Wright darted into the opposition box, though his final shot was inches wide of the target.
In response, Marseille captain Yanis Sellami rasped an effort from around 30 yards that Kornel Misciur had to tip over.
The Reds' goalkeeper soon produced another save, emerging to block with his legs a chance in the area for Ugo Lamare El Kadmiri.
A Calum Scanlon block and Emmanuel Airoboma challenge sandwiched Oliver O'Connor firing one too high as the interval arrived with neither side breaking the stalemate.
The hosts made the brighter start to the second half, with Milan Leccese's strike blocked and Sellami half-volleying wide.
Liverpool began to exert more control of the ball as the hour mark approached - but it was Marseille who produced the breakthrough.
It came in spectacular fashion from Leccese, who, from near the centre-circle, spotted Misciur off his goalline and found the net via the post from the long distance.
The French outfit doubled their advantage on 74 minutes.
Keyliane Abdallah's dragged effort across goal was collected by Antoine Valero. He spun on the loose ball and made space for a low cross that was turned into his own net by Nallo.
The Reds almost responded quickly.
Substitutes Finn Inglethorpe and Keyrol Figueroa combined for the latter to get a shot off at goal that needed a strong save.
Marseille had a goal disallowed subsequently and it remained 2-0 to the home team.
Liverpool: Misciur, O'Connor (Hickman, 61), Airoboma (Clarke, 80), Nallo, Scanlon (Ayman, 61), Pinnington, Morrison (Bradshaw, 80), Upton (Murray-Holme, 73), W. Wright (Figueroa, 62), Sonni-Lambie (Inglethorpe, 73), Kone-Doherty (Lee Forrester, 81).
Unused subs: Bernard, M. Wright.