Liverpool U21s were unfortunate to slip to a 4-2 defeat against an experienced West Brom side at the Hawthorns on Sunday afternoon.
Alex Inglethorpe's team went ahead in the game through Joao Carlos Teixeira; however, they were hit by three goals in quick succession as the Baggies raced into a 3-1 lead.
Cameron Brannagan pulled one back for the visitors before half-time - and after the interval the Reds fashioned a host of good chances to draw level.
However, in the 85th minute, local lad Kemar Roofe kept his calm to score from the penalty spot and seal the win after Rafael Paez committed a foul in the box.
West Brom looked the more likely to score throughout the opening exchanges, with Scottish international Graham Dorrans squandering a couple of good early shooting chances.
But Liverpool grabbed the first when Teixeira's effort from range proved too hot to handle for Luke Daniels in the Baggies goal.
Michael Ngoo found his teammate 30 yards out and the Portuguese starlet took a couple of touches, shifted the ball onto his right foot and hammered at goal, where it bobbled in front of Daniels and spilled into the net behind.
West Brom hit back through Matej Vydra. Skipper George Thorne watched the striker ghost in between Lloyd Jones and Paez and clipped a perfectly weighted pass into his path. Vydra sped away and nicked the ball from Danny Ward before tapping home into an empty net.
Zoltan Gera started for West Brom and when he fed Vydra moments later, the Czech striker sprung clear of the Reds' defence once more only to hit the post with his finish.
It was 2-1 to the home side when Adam Morgan was wrestled off the ball by Thorne and the Baggies captain surged forward before firing beyond Ward from the edge of the penalty area.
West Brom stole possession again shortly after; Vydra lined up a shot on the edge of the area and his effort deflected off Paez and spun into the path of Roofe, who curled home West Brom's third.
The Reds pulled a goal back when Morgan's free-kick was flicked on by Brannagan and the ball found its way through a wall of players and into the net to halve the deficit.
In the second half, substitute Alex Jones went close for the home side before Roofe's cross was missed by Ward and chaos ensued in the Liverpool penalty area until Paez and then Jones were able to scramble the ball to safety.
At the other end, Daniels atoned for his early mistake after fine work from Ibe set up Brannagan yards from goal; the Liverpool youngster struck on the half-volley and sent the ball low towards the corner, but the Baggies stopper flung himself in the way.
The Reds persevered in search of an equaliser and Brannagan went close with a header after Ryan McLaughlin picked him out. Then, in the 85th minute, Roofe converted from the penalty spot to seal a 4-2 win after Paez fouled Vydra.
Liverpool U21s emerged 4-3 winners from a pulsating encounter against Middlesbrough at Victoria Park on Monday night.
Alex Inglethorpe's side controlled the first half and raced to a 3-0 lead within 25 minutes of the clash.
Craig Roddan hammered the Reds ahead, Joao Carlos Teixeira doubled their advantage and Jordan Rossiter netted his first goal for the U21s to seal a dominant first-half display.
However, the home side came out fighting after the interval and Jacob Butterfield smashed a fine 30-yard effort beyond Danny Ward to pull a goal back.
Teixeira restored Liverpool's three-goal lead moments later; however, Boro fought back into the tie thanks to strikes from Emmanuel Ledesma and Seb Hines.
It all started so positively for the young Reds. After just four minutes, they stole ahead when Roddan collected the ball on the edge of the box and arrowed it first time beyond Jayson Leutwiler.
Ibe carved the second with lightning pace after executing a slick step-over and powering past Birger Solberg Meling to cut the ball back to Teixeira, who rifled home for 2-0.
Minutes later a wonderful sweeping attack unlocked Boro for a third time. Brad Smith lashed across the face of goal, Ibe cleverly tucked the ball back inside to Rossiter and he finished calmly from close range.
Liverpool were in full control. Tiago Ilori and Lloyd Jones were composed at the heart of the Reds' defence - and they were flanked by the equally impressive Smith and Martin Kelly.
In front of them, Scouse duo, Rossiter and Roddan, dictated the pace of the game and they were precise and industrious throughout the opening 45 minutes.
Cameron Brannagan dropped off the frontman to link the play, while Teixeira looked lively and Ibe was simply unplayable down the right touchline.
However, the Reds were rocked by an early goal directly after the restart. Butterfield seized his chance, 30 seconds in, to swerve a left-footed rocket beyond Ward.
Liverpool hit back immediately when Ibe advanced and clipped a pass into Teixeira, who let fly with an emphatic strike that left Leutwiler no chance at his near post.
But it was raining goals in Hartlepool - and Boro promptly picked the ball up from the restart, broke down the field and Ledesma hammered a sensational dipping shot past Ward to make it 4-2.
The Argentine then turned provider as he spotted the ball out on the right flank and sailed a dangerous free-kick into the penalty area, which Hines rose to nod home.
However, despite their best efforts, the home side were unable to find a fourth and Liverpool held out to clinch a memorable victory.
Kristoffer Peterson netted a superb goal as Liverpool U21s drew 1-1 with Sevilla in Spain in a friendly encounter on Tuesday afternoon.
Martin Kelly played the full 90 minutes at centre-half as he looks to get back to full sharpness, Jon Flanagan completed the contest at right-back and U18 starlets Ryan Kent and Harry Wilson both had their first experience of playing at U21 level.
U21s boss Alex Inglethorpe told Liverpoolfc.com: "It was a terrific game and we started ever so brightly and controlled the game in the first half.
"Kris scored a great goal following superb team play with a move that was started by our goalkeeper, Danny Ward.
"In fairness, Sevilla were the better team for the majority of the second half. They were technically very good and inventive and got a late equaliser.
"We came back into it for the final 15 minutes and did well, so overall I am pleased.
"We gave Ryan and Harry their first games at U21 level and they will have learned a lot from this, and it will stand them in good stead for the future."
Liverpool U21s team: Danny Ward, Jon Flanagan, Brad Smith, Lloyd Jones, Martin Kelly, Jordan Rossiter, Ryan McLaughlin (Harry Wilson 55), Joao Carlos Teixeira, Kristoffer Peterson, Cameron Brannagan (Jack Dunn 55), Ryan Kent (Daniel Trickett-Smith 55).
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