The young Magpies got off to a difficult start at Whitley Park, conceding inside two minutes through Trey Nyoni's opener before Kaine Gordon's penalty doubled the Reds' lead.

Ben Parkinson's header swiftly halved the hosts' deficit before the 18-year-old striker was unfortunate not to draw the hosts level in the second half after hitting the woodwork.

Ben Dawson made three changes from the side which claimed a 2-1 victory against Nottingham Forest in the Premier League Cup as teenage midfielder Alfie Harrison, who joined the Magpies from Manchester City earlier this month, was handed his debut at under-21 level.

Goalkeeper Max Thompson, who spent the first half of the 2023/24 season on loan at League One side Northampton Town, started in-between the sticks while James Huntley replaced the injured Travis Hernes in the middle of the park.

Newcastle conceded in the second minute through Nyoni's early opener after Danns capitalised on a defensive mix-up before teeing up the former who, with time and space, calmly slotted the ball beyond Thompson.

Thompson, who extended his contract with the Magpies until the summer of 2025, produced a key save to deny Gordon after the Reds winger completed a dangerous run towards goal before his resulting effort was held by the 19-year-old shot-stopper.

In the 20th minute, however, Liverpool extended their advantage through Gordon's spot-kick. After Danns surged forward before being bundled over inside the penalty area, the 19-year-old placed the ball into the bottom left-hand corner despite Thompson guessing the correct way.

Newcastle's youngsters responded in bright fashion, though, as Parkinson netted his second goal in as many Premier League 2 matches. After his powerful header from Alex Murphy's cross crashed against the crossbar, the Durham-born teenager was quickly alert to head the loose ball past Liverpool goalkeeper Oscar Kelly.

Harrison went close to netting on his Magpies debut as the Bradford-born youngster latched onto Parkinson's pass inside the box but his first-time effort was held by Kelly.

Parkinson, who made his Premier League debut for his boyhood club in a 2-0 defeat away at AFC Bournemouth in November 2023, went agonisingly close to drawing Newcastle level on the stroke of half-time as the 18-year-old striker's close-range strike from Leo Shahar's inviting cross was denied from point-blank range by Kelly. 

Kyle Crossley, who joined the Magpies' youth set-up in January 2020, was introduced from the substitutes' bench and almost levelled the scoring as the 19-year-old winger's fierce drive from the edge of the box was deflected narrowly over the crossbar. 

Thompson prevented Lucas Pitt from restoring the Reds' two-goal cushion after the right-back's low drive from distance was importantly pushed out for a corner by the former England Under-18 international.

Parkinson almost netted his and United's second goal of the afternoon after the Liverpool defence failed to clear the ball following Amadou Diallo's lofted free-kick but the teenager's drilled half volley was pushed onto the post by Kelly.

With the full-time whistle approaching, the 18-year-old youngster was denied a brace after racing towards goal but his resulting shot was turned around the right-hand post for a corner by Kelly.

Newcastle United Under-21s: Max Thompson, Leo Shahar, Cathal Heffernan (c), Ciaran Thompson, Alex Murphy, Anthony Munda, Ellis Stanton, James Huntley, Alfie Harrison (Kyle Crossley 59), Amadou Diallo, Ben Parkinson.

Subs not used: Harry Powell, Will Brown, Dylan Charlton, Trevan Sanusi.