AcademyU21s match report: Liverpool suffer first loss of 2026 at Manchester City
The Reds' unbeaten record in the year was brought to an end by goals in either half from Floyd Samba and Isaiah Dada-Mascoll.
They fell behind in the 15th minute when Samba nudged home Christian McFarlane's cross from a few yards out.
The visitors were then dealt another blow as Jayden Danns' first appearance since late September was cut short just shy of the half-hour mark.
Will Wright was his replacement and nearly delivered an equaliser, ending a solo charge with a finish that went off target.
Before that chance for the Reds, Armin Pecsi got down low to push away Samba's hit from the edge of the box.
In the final moments of the first half, Calvin Ramsay's last-ditch block stopped Sverre Nypan from adding a second for City, and Kieran Morrison curled fractionally wide at the other end.
The second period had an open feel right from the off, with Mahamadou Sangare going close within 60 seconds of the restart.
Wright had a header from a corner cleared off the line and Tommy Pilling's low free-kick was batted away by goalkeeper Jack Wint.
But City established a cushion a couple of minutes beyond the hour mark with a near-post header from Dada-Mascoll, who darted to meet Ryan McAidoo's corner.
January arrival Mor Talla Ndiaye came on to make his Liverpool U21s debut, slotting in at centre-back for the remaining 27 minutes.
No dramatic comeback was forthcoming, so the Reds' run of avoiding defeat in 2026 was halted in their 10th match.
Team
Liverpool U21s: Pecsi, Ramsay, Pinnington, Nallo (Ndiaye, 63), Ewing, Kelly, Morrison, Laffey, Danns (Wright, 29), Pilling, Onanuga (Bradshaw, 69).
Unused subs: Misciur, Pitt.
Next up
Rob Page's side complete the Premier League 2 regular season at home to Crystal Palace on Sunday (March 22).
The action at the Kirkby Academy gets under way at 1pm GMT and can be watched live via All Red Video.