ALBION Under-18s suffered a harsh 3-0 defeat at in-form Liverpool on Saturday - but the scoreline failed to reflect the story of the game.

Goals from Joe Kennedy in the sixth minute, James Ellison on 60 and substitute Lauri Dalla Valle 11 minutes later saw the Reds home.

But Liverpool keeper Martin Hansen had to come to the hosts' rescue four times while Sebastien Lake-Gaskin hit the side-netting and Lateef Elford-Alliyu had an effort cleared off the line - all in the first half.

Coach Michael Appleton said: "The scoreline suggests a drubbing but that wasn't how the game panned out at all.

"We conceded a sloppy early goal from a set-piece but played very well in possession.

"We caused them a few problems and created a good few chances and I actually thought we should have been in front - not behind - at the break.

"We started the second 45 really well but got punished for a really poor error on the halfway line.

"As soon as we went 2-0 down, it was always going to be an uphill task and they added a third while we were chasing the game.

"From Liverpool's point of view, it was job done. From ours, it was really frustrating.

"Despite playing well, it's just not happening for us in front of goal.

"But if they're saving it for the FA Youth Cup, I'll take it on the chin."