After an even opening half hour at the Magpies’ Little Benton Academy, Jayden Danns’ header sent the Toon teenagers behind at the half-time break.

The young Magpies, featuring a number of first-year scholars, conceded three times within the space of 11 second-half minutes following Ranel Young’s brace, either side of Afolami Onanuga’s strike, in the closing stages of the league encounter.

Graeme Carrick’s side were aiming to secure back-to-back home wins, following a 3-0 victory against Nottingham Forest Under-18s, ahead of facing their Merseyside opponents but trailed in the 37th minute following Danns’ clinical header, who directed a close-range header into the net from James McConnell’s dangerous corner.

Shaun Mavididi, who joined the Magpies’ youth set-up from Arsenal in July 2021, went close to equalising before the half-time whistle as the London-born forward latched onto Scott Bailey’s pass but saw his low effort blocked by Liverpool goalkeeper Luke Hewitson.

In the second-half, Newcastle goalkeeper Adam Harrison produced a stunning save from point blank range to deny Keyrol Figueroa, with the 16-year-old importantly pushing away the American winger’s powerful header.

United’s Carter Milmore was unfortunate not to draw the hosts level shortly after as the defender rose from Bailey’s inviting free-kick but directed the ball wide of the left-hand post.

In the 74th minute, Newcastle’s youngsters were dealt a difficult blow as Young extended Liverpool’s lead, with the substitute making an instant impact after guiding the ball into the left-hand corner from Lewis Koumas’ squared pass.

Newcastle conceded a third in the 76th minute as Onanuga latched onto a loose ball inside the penalty area before firing a powerful effort beyond Harrison, who could only manage to get a hand to the drilled strike.

In the 85th minute, United suffered a further blow as Young notched his second of the afternoon. After a dangerous counter attack, the Reds teenager was teed up by fellow substitute Elijah Gift before curling the ball into the top right-hand corner.

Newcastle United Under-18s: Adam Harrison, Logan Watts, Carter Milmore, Luke Craggs, Dylan Charlton, Scott Bailey, Anthony Munda, Darren Palmer, Sean Neave (Josh Donaldson 45), Johnny Emerson, Shaun Mavididi (c) (Thomas Bryant 69).

Subs not used: Archie Dodds, Aidan Harris, Joe Brayson.