The Reds trailed by three goals at the halfway point of the U18 Premier League North clash, with Jaume Camacho-Sidos (two) and Noah Ajayi on target.

Finn Inglethorpe and Erik Farkas deservedly reduced the visitors’ arrears to one heading into the final quarter of an hour at Carrington.

But United came back strongly and added to their tally through two more Camacho-Sidos efforts and an Emmanuel Ziro strike, which sandwiched a stunning consolation from Luca Eden.

United began the game assertively and Liverpool needed goalkeeper Matty Wright to get a boot in the way of Junior Brown’s low hit after he won a pace race with Cam Williams.

It was a short reprieve, however.

Camacho-Sidos was served the ball in a central position almost 25 yards from goal and connected superbly with a strike off the laces that nestled into the bottom right corner.

United’s pressure was persistent and their goalscorer so nearly repeated his earlier trick.

From a similar area, this time Camacho-Sidos went for a high finish and his swerver clattered the upright.

Liverpool’s best response came via the quick feet of AJ Yeguo, who dribbled brilliantly from deep all the way into the opposition box until Jayden Ngwashi stole in before he could shoot.

Ajayi had a deflected effort drop wide for the home team and the Reds’ Charlie Huth was teed up to the right of goal for a drive that was too close to Charlie Hardy in the United net.

The second goal went to United on 33 minutes.

Kai Rooney’s through ball opened up the Reds and after a series of partial blocks inside the area, Ajayi’s composure led to a low thump past Wright.

The hosts extended their advantage soon after, Rooney winning possession high up the pitch and unselfishly setting up Camacho-Sidos for a simple finish with Liverpool exposed.

There might have been a lifeline for Simon Wiles’ side ahead of the interval but the referee did not judge Jariyah Shah’s clumsy challenge on Yeguo in the area to be a penalty.

Luck refused to shine on the Reds in the first minute of the second half either; a great move saw Farkas cross for Inglethorpe to net in the middle, but the offside flag was raised.

There was a greater impetus and intent to Liverpool’s play straight from the restart and they were rewarded in the 55th minute.

Eden sent a fine looped pass out to the flank for Yeguo and both players had efforts blocked during the attacking phase that followed.

The ball eventually bounced kindly to Inglethorpe, who from the centre instinctively controlled and turned in a finish at close range.

Brown fired off target from the ‘D’ in what was becoming a rarer United threat, while Eden cracked a snap-shot wide.

The Reds’ momentum yielded a second goal on 73 as Farkas’ high press forced a Hardy blunder that allowed him to hook a shot into an unguarded net.

Liverpool legitimately sensed a comeback was now on, but United responded strongly to properly put the contest to bed.

Camacho-Sidos completed his hat-trick when he timed a run in behind and clipped an angled effort into the far corner from the left.

A series of penalty appeals for the visitors – Haydn Murray-Holme, Yeguo and Eden each having claims – were all waved away, to their increasing incensement.

Wright stretched a leg to deny David Eze, only for United to grab a fifth as Karim Cassim fed Ziro to the right and he lashed the ball inside the near post.

As rain poured down, opportunities flowed – though the Reds’ third goal was less a chance than the product of outstanding Eden technique in stoppage time.

The midfielder spun on a pass around 30 yards out, moved forward into shooting space and walloped a special strike into the top left corner.

Camacho-Sidos was not done, however, and claimed his fourth and the hosts’ sixth of the match with a side-foot home from another Cassim assist.

Team

Liverpool: M. Wright, Owen (Ekiugbo, 73), Williams (Powney Wain, 63), Conde, Clarke, Murray-Holme, Huth, Eden, Inglethorpe, E. Farkas, Yeguo.

Unused subs: Dooley, Garan, Garin, Hickman, Majekodunmi.

Goals: Inglethorpe (55), E. Farkas (73), Eden (90+1)

Next up

The Reds host Sunderland in the league next Saturday (October 31), with kick-off at the Kirkby Academy set for 12.30pm GMT.