It was a tough afternoon for the Derby County Under-23s as they fell to a 1-3 home defeat against Liverpool.
Curtis Jones opened the scoring for the visitors whilst Rafael Camacho added the second just after the hour mark.
Jones scored his second minutes later, however, the Rams fought to the end and scored a consolation as Sven Karic’s effort was fumbled into his own goal by Liverpool shot-stopper Caoimhin Kelleher.
The Rams went the closest to scoring in the opening exchanges of the game. Calum Macdonald whipped a free kick over the wall but Kelleher was equal to his effort.
Liverpool did manage to take the lead on 16 minutes, however, and it came from a mistake from the Derby County defence.
Jones capitalised and slid the ball beyond Henrich Ravas to put the Reds ahead.
The goalkeeper had to be alert minutes later to deny Jones from extending their lead. He was out quickly to deny the forward from close range.
Reds midfielder Adam Lewis struck wide from 25 yards just before the half hour mark, whilst minutes later, Louie Sibley caused havoc inside the penalty box as he took on his man but his cross just eluded Jayden Mitchell-Lawson who was lurking at the back post.
The Rams went close in the opening seconds of the second half. After neat work on the edge of the box, the ball was laid back to Joe Bateman to shoot but his effort was saved by Kelleher.
Macdonald almost equalised for the Rams on the hour mark as his in-swinging free kick narrowly whisked wide of the goal.
Liverpool would extend their lead not long after but it was met with controversy. The ball appeared to go out of play as it was cut back to Camacho to fire home from close range, but the goal was given to the dismay of the young Rams.
Two soon became three as Jones netted his second goal of the afternoon to all-but seal the victory.
Darren Wassall’s men did continue to fight until the end and were rewarded with a consolation goal. The conditions got the better of Liverpool goalkeeper Kelleher as he dropped a high looping cross from Karic over his goal line as the game ended 1-3.