AcademyYouth Cup match report: Liverpool edged out by Charlton in third round
Strikes from Josh Sonni-Lambie and Finn Inglethorpe saw the young Reds partially recover from three goals down in the third-round tie at the Kirkby Academy.
But they could not find the equaliser to force extra-time and therefore bow out of the competition early this season.
Simon Wiles' hosts had started the brighter and a fine cutback from Joe Bradshaw was picked up by La'more Lee Forrester, whose drive brought a fine low save from Finley Woodham at his left-hand post.
The game changed after 18 minutes, though, when Charlton took the lead.
A loose ball fell to captain Jack Belton a full 25 yards out and he unleashed a straight blast into the top corner with his left foot that gave goalkeeper DJ Bernard no chance.
Their confidence boosted, the Addicks produced a good team move after 26 minutes, Bernard having to save well from Shia-Lee Burnham low down.
Liverpool were struggling for a foothold in the game and it was not a huge surprise when Charlton grabbed a second. From a run into the box, Ellis McMillan had time to hammer home from close range.
The visitors could have stretched their lead further on the stroke of half-time, too, but Lucas Clarke cleared a header off the line before Reuben Reid's shot hit the post.
However, Charlton did grab a third early in the second half. The Reds failed to make a clearance and Bradley Tagoe fired across Bernard from the left for 3-0.
That three-goal cushion only lasted three minutes, as the home team finally began to play their football.
Haydn Murray-Holme sent a superb ball down the right for Bradshaw and the winger's pinpoint cross was finished off by Sonni-Lambie at the back post.
Liverpool now had hope, momentum and some belief.
Bradshaw and Oliver O'Connor combined well to force a desperate clearance from Charlton, while Inglethorpe sent an attempt a little too close to Woodham.
Chasing the game meant the Reds were having to gamble at the back, with Bernard denying Reid and Tate Elliott volleying over when he should have scored from a free-kick delivery.
Bradshaw struck narrowly over after being teed up by Sonni-Lambie, while McMillan missed a good chance as opportunities arrived at both ends.
Liverpool needed a lifeline and it was delivered by Inglethorpe when he headed home a Lee Forrester cross with three minutes and plenty of injury time to come.
Wiles' charges threw themselves forward but a cross from O'Connor that deflected narrowly over was as close as they came to completing a comeback.
Team
Liverpool U18s: Bernard, O'Connor, Powney Wain (Inglethorpe, 46), Esdaille (Owen, 70), Clarke, Murray-Holme, Bradshaw, Upton, Sonni-Lambie, Ayman, Lee Forrester.
Unused subs: M. Wright, Hickman, Farkas, Martin.