Adam Morgan struck a late winner as Liverpool U18s warmed up for the FA Youth Cup with an impressive 2-1 victory over Manchester City on Saturday afternoon.
The striker showed great composure to drill a low shot into the bottom corner on 82 minutes after Raheem Sterling's first-half opener had been cancelled out by Alex Henshaw's stunning volley.
It means Rodolfo Borrell's side has extended their run to seven matches undefeated ahead of their cup clash with Southend United on February 14.
The hosts made a bright start to what promised to be an entertaining encounter in Kirkby and after Krisztian Adorjan saw a goalbound shot deflected to safety, Morgan should have done better when he angled an effort off target from the edge of the box.
The Reds seemed intent on extending their fine start to 2011 and on 15 minutes great feet by Toni Silva took him beyond two defenders but his drilled cross was brilliantly cut out by a last-ditch City leg.
It was all Liverpool at this point and Sterling really should have opened the scoring when he fired wide after capitalizing upon an error by Tom Skodsgrud.
The young winger was a constant thorn in the visitors' side and it was his run and pass that saw Morgan force a stunning save out of James Wood.
City had rarely threatened but on 38 minutes they almost stole ahead when Bradley Robinson sizzled a low shot inches past the far post.
However, Liverpool responded and they finally broke the deadlock on 43 minutes. Adorjan slipped a ball through to Sterling, who showed great composure to evade a challenge and coolly fire into the corner.
It was no more than the home side deserved and it was Borrell's charges who continued to ask the questions following the interval.
Morgan was the first to show on 48 minutes, firing a low shot into the midriff of Wood before seeing a well-placed attempt crash off the left-hand post following more good play by Sterling.
Liverpool had created enough chances to be out of sight by the hour mark but they inevitably paid the price for their misses when Henshaw drew City level with a stunning volley from 30 yards.
It was a huge blow for the hosts but they almost restored their lead within seconds of the restart. Morgan took up another good position in attack but after rounding Wood he saw his low shot hacked off the line.
It was suddenly anyone's game and City began to look threatening without truly troubling Tyrell Belford in the Reds' goal.
Liverpool needed to find another gear if they wanted to claim the victory their display deserved and they slowly began to assert their authority again, with Silva twice going close.
First, the Portuguese ace teased a defender and struck a curling shot that just missed the far corner before unleashing a venomous 25 yarder that Wood somehow managed to get a fingertip to.
With the clock running down it looked like the Reds would be forced to settle for a share of the spoils until Morgan finally got his goal when he turned on the edge of the box and angled a drive into the near post corner.
There was even time for the home side to put the icing on the cake but Adorjan saw his controlled strike bounce back off the post.
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