AcademyU21s match report: Liverpool beaten at Burton Albion in Vertu Trophy opener
It was a competitive start to the Group H fixture with no real chances for either team inside the opening 20 minutes.
The Reds were more than holding their own against League One opposition, with Kaide Gordon providing a bright spark.
His low cross almost found Kareem Ahmed inside the area, while at the other end Rhys Williams – who captained the side – blocked two quick efforts from the hosts.
Striker Will Wright was also offering a stern test for the Burton defenders in the final third.
However, it was the home team who threatened with the first true opening of the night as JJ McKiernan crashed a half-volley from inside the box onto the crossbar.
And Liverpool went behind just two minutes after that warning.
Burton opened up the Reds with some swift play forward and it was Fabio Tavares who scored, racing through to see his initial effort saved by goalkeeper Fabian Mrozek, before the rebound found the back of the net.
After the interval, Rob Page’s outfit grew more into the contest in search of a leveller.
Wright threatened as he turned in the box, while Gordon again attempted to find his teammate in the area, though his cross was just too long.
On the hour, Kieran Morrison worked the best chance of the game for Liverpool, producing a driving run into the box to force a strong save from stopper Kamil Dudek in goal.
Substitute Keyrol Figueroa then failed to keep an effort down and on target from close range with confidence growing.
The visitors, though, were made to pay just moments later as Burton added a second against the run of play.
Having turned the ball over high in the Reds’ half, Julian Larsson raced in on the right and fired a shot into the far corner of the net.
In the closing stages, Liverpool attempted to muster a way back into the game, but were unable to make a breakthrough, Gordon seeing a late penalty claim waved away after a darting run into the area.
Team
Liverpool U21s: Mrozek, Davidson (Pitt, 64), Miles, R. Williams, Pinnington, Spearing (Laffey, 55), Gordon, Pilling, Wright (Figueroa, 55), Morrison, Ahmed (Onanuga, 64).
Unused subs: Hall, Lucky, Airoboma.
Attendance: 973
Up next
Liverpool have a break from match action until Sunday September 21, when they will return to Premier League 2 competition.
The Reds host Manchester United at the Kirkby Academy in a 2pm BST kick-off.