AcademyYouth League match report: Liverpool beaten by Inter in Milan

Goals during the opening quarter-hour from Dilan Zarate (penalty) and Pietro La Torre gave the Italian team control.

An unfortunate Kornel Misciur own goal was followed by Mattia Mosconi and Kevin Moressa finishes late on.

The Reds had, though, already secured their spot in the next stage, with this the final fixture of the league phase.

Inter were awarded a penalty within a minute of kick-off at Konami Youth Development Centre.

It was given somewhat harshly against Lucas Clarke for handball inside the box, and Zarate stepped up to guide the ball past Misciur to the left.

The hosts might have made it two soon after, too. Mosconi got into space down the right and moved in towards goal to shoot, but his arcing attempt was sliced wide.

They did double their lead on 14 minutes, though, and in stunning fashion.

A corner kick from the right-hand side was clipped outside the box to La Torre, who chested it down and smacked a half-volley inside the left post.

Liverpool could have responded quickly, creating an opening from a possession steal in the opposition half.

Keyrol Figueroa squared to Trent Kone-Doherty across the Inter area, though the forward's low finish was too close to the goalkeeper.

After an uneventful spell, the Reds gained a huge chance to hit back from the penalty spot. Kieran Morrison dribbled down the right and his cross struck the arm of Mattia Marello.

The referee pointed to the spot once more. However, Morrison's attempt from 12 yards clattered the base of the left post and went out.

Morrison was then denied by the legs of Inter goalkeeper Matteo Farronato with a driven shot, and from the resulting corner Emmanuel Airoboma was off target with a free header at close range.

Misciur made a comfortable low save after Aymen Zouin broke free left of goal and tried to find the far corner.

A frantic end to the half saw Alvin Ayman clear off the goalline to thwart another Zouin effort.

Kone-Doherty fired one too high having worked an opportunity early in the second period, before Figueroa hooked an acrobatic volley over too.

Moments later, Ayman was in the right place to complete another intervention, this time blocking on the line from Jamal Iddrissou.

A Kone-Doherty cross just evaded Josh Sonni-Lambie in the middle as Liverpool sought a route back into the contest.

But Inter put paid to those hopes from midway through the half by adding three more goals to their tally.

Mosconi struck the outside of the right post with a reverse strike a minute before the home side's third was scored.

Dino Putsen was then foiled by the other frame of the goal after a spin and shot - but the ball bounced against the back of Misciur and went into the net.

They made it 4-0 on 76 minutes, La Torre's cutback teeing up Mosconi for a close-range blast beyond Misciur.

And Moressa also converted clinically from inside the Liverpool box towards the end for Inter.

Rob Page's Reds nevertheless advance to the knockout rounds in 2026, with the draw for the last 32 set to be held on Friday.

Team

Misciur, O'Connor, Airoboma, Clarke (Farkas, 75), Ayman, Pinnington, Morrison, Upton (Murray-Holme, 66), Figueroa (Bradshaw, 64), Sonni-Lambie (Inglethorpe, 75), Kone-Doherty.

Unused subs: Bernard, M. Wright, Hickman, Lee Forrester.