The Magpies, heading into the clash on the back of one win in their last ten outings, broke the deadlock at Prenton Park through Callum Roberts, who netted his first goal of the season.

Their lead did not last for long – Matty Virtue restoring parity before the half-hour mark – but Peter Beardsley’s side continued to look a threat.

However, they were undone by a moment of quality with just less than 20 minutes remaining, Ejaria rounding Nathan Harker after finishing the move he started just inside the Magpies’ half.

United had almost found themselves trailing after just 55 seconds, though. Forward Rhian Brewster latched onto Ejaria’s threaded pass, only for Harker to produce a superb stop after rushing off his line.

Harker then managed to hang on to Brewster’s 20-yard effort as Liverpool made a purposeful start. And, when he was beaten – by a Bobby Adekanye cross from the right – Josef Yarney was on hand to hack clear.

After weathering an early storm, United took the lead midway through the half. Virtue’s stray pass fell kindly for Roberts just inside the penalty area, and the wide-man kept his composure before picking out the far corner.

Liverpool only trailed for five minutes, though. Conor Whelan’s low-struck cross bounced off Virtue and Macaulay Gillesphey before dropping kindly for the Reds’ midfielder, who atoned for his earlier error by sliding the ball past Harker.

The home side enjoyed the lion’s share of possession as the first half wore on, but save for a cross-come-shot from Yan Dhanda – which Kyle Cameron had to clear off the line – they never really looked like hurting the Magpies.

Indeed, it was Beardsley’s troops – beaten 4-1 at Oldham Athletic in the Checkatrade Trophy on Tuesday night – who ought to have struck next. Dan Ward and Tom Heardman exchanged passes on the edge of the area, before the former rolled the ball into Victor Fernández’s path. The Spaniard only had goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher to beat, but blazed high and wide of the near post.

The lively Roberts then took aim twice in quick succession, coming within inches of restoring United’s lead with his second attempt, which whistled just past the far post.

However, the Reds grew into the game once more, and only a brilliant block from Cameron kept the score at 1-1, Dutchman Adekanye having looked certain to convert substitute Liam Millar’s cross.

Just five minutes later, though, Millar provided a helping hand to Ejaria, who gave the home side the advantage for the first time in impressive fashion. The former Arsenal youngster played a neat one-two with Millar, skipped past Harker, and rolled the ball into an empty net.

Harker then denied Adekanye with 80 minutes on the clock as Liverpool looked to put the outcome beyond doubt but, with virtually the last kick of the game, Kelleher had to be alert to keep the hosts’ lead intact, clawing away Conor Masterson’s attempted clearance after Ben Kitchen’s cross from the right.

Liverpool Under-23s: Caoimhin Kelleher, Corey Whelan, Juanma (George Johnston, 53), Lloyd Jones, Conor Masterson, Cameron Brannagan, Bobby Adekanye, Matty Virtue, Rhian Brewster (Liam Millar, 66), Ovie Ejaria, Yan Dhanda (Herbie Kane, 82).

Newcastle United Under-23s: Nathan Harker, Ben Kitchen, Kyle Cameron, Owen Bailey, Josef Yarney, Macaulay Gillesphey, Victor Fernández (Yasin Ben El-Mhanni, 79), Mo Sangare, Tom Heardman, Dan Ward, Callum Roberts.