SAM Mantom's strike proved nothing more than a consolation as Albion Under-18s suffered a 4-1 defeat by Liverpool on Saturday.

The Baggies found themselves 3-0 down at half-time in the FA Premier Academy League (Group C) clash following some clinical finishing by the visitors.

Albion held their own in the second half and Mantom gave them some hope when his shot deflected in off Paul Downing.

But the Reds grabbed a late fourth goal on the counter-attack to wrap the game up.

"I think it was a lesson in clinical finishing," said Hawthorns coach Keith Downing.

"It was a game that was evenly balanced in terms of possession and territory but they were more clinical.

"They cut us open on the counter-attack and we produced some individual errors in terms of defending.

"In the seven games we've played we've been pretty sound so I think the level of the team we played on Saturday just exposed us a little bit individually.

"At half-time I asked the players to keep their shape and discipline and not chase the game by doing something totally different.

"They did that and they showed lots of character.

"In the second-half we territorially played in Liverpool's half.

"They did drop a little deeper, which invited us to come on, and we got a deserved goal.

"But their defence was very strong and we didn't create too much more of any note.

"It's an eye-opener.

"It's a second successive defeat but I can't level any criticism at the players in terms of determination, effort and endeavour.

"It's just basically a concentration thing against a top side at youth level, who have some good players, and can punish you if you're not totally concentrated.

"We made too many individual errors that made it too much of a deficit to claw back."

Baggies Under-18s visit Everton on Saturday (ko 11am).

ALBION: Allsop, Gayle, Waghorn (Mulholland 75), O'Neil (Lovell 85), Downing, Malcolm, Grier, Mantom, Elford-Alliyu, Berahino, Brown. Subs not used: Connolly, Shane, Fowler.