AcademyYouth League match report: Liverpool beaten by Real Madrid in Kirkby

Both teams exchanged attacks in the opening period, the visitors going closest via Diego Aguado, before Carlos Diez tested home goalkeeper Bailey Hall from distance.

The Reds themselves saw a deflected shot from Kieran Morrison saved well, but Real opened the scoring thanks to a slick forward move in the 14th minute.

A low ball in from the left flank by Liberto Navascues found the run of striker Jacobo Ortega, allowing the No.9 to produce a clever flicked first-time finish into the corner of the net.

Though Liverpool attempted to respond to the deficit, Real again threatened by striking the crossbar with a curling shot via goalscorer Ortega after the hosts pressed the Reds high up the pitch.

Navascues also forced Hall into a stern save from a tight angle, while ahead of the interval, Trent Kone-Doherty had a shot blocked from the edge of the penalty area.

The second half was just three minutes old when the Spanish club doubled their advantage and gave themselves breathing room in the contest.

A dangerous shot from Aguado inside the area was pushed behind by the diving Hall and the resulting corner kick led to the second of the afternoon.

Aguado's delivery found the run of Adrian Perez at the near post and he made no mistake with a cushioned volley on the full to score.

The effort allowed Real to play with freedom and they worked Hall further with the goalkeeper reacting quickly to a driven shot from Perez.

With a little under 15 minutes remaining, however, there was nothing Hall could do about a swift counter-attack as they added a third.

Two substitutes combined in lethal fashion, Daniel Yanez sprinting away down the right to find Jaime Barroso across the box, who drilled an emphatic finish into the bottom corner.

In the last of the action, Real struck a fourth goal in added time, Aguado firing past Hall from the left side of the area after a reverse pass.

Team

Liverpool: Hall, Ayman, Pinnington, Cisse, Airoboma (O'Connor, 68), Upton (Yeguo, 82), Morrison, Nyoni, Sonni-Lambie (Bradshaw, 52), Figueroa, Kone-Doherty.

Unused subs: Bernard, M. Wright, Murray-Holme, Lee Forrester, Inglethorpe.

Next up

Liverpool U18s return to domestic action on Saturday lunchtime at the Kirkby Academy.

The Reds will host Nottingham Forest in an U18 Premier League North contest, with kick-off set for 12pm GMT.