Liverpool Reserves 0 Sunderland 2

OH, dear.

This was not one of Liverpool Reserves’ better nights at The Halliwell Jones Stadium.

On a night when the Reds needed a performance to get them off the bottom of the Barclays Premier Reserve League North ladder, it failed to materialise.

An own goal from Godwin Antwi and a further first-half strike from Jack Colback kept Sunderland clear at the top and Liverpool a point behind Middlesbrough, who leapt above Gary Ablett’s men on Tuesday night after a 3-0 home success against Bolton Wanderers.

Perhaps Liverpool’s best opportunity of a goal came from a Dani Pacheco free kick, getting the ball past the wall but not goalkeeper Nick Colgan midway through the first half.

Sunderland had not created much before Antwi headed into his own net from a corner in the 27th minute but within 10 minutes they were 2-0 up thanks to Colback easing past his marker and looping the ball over Hansen.

David Meyler had a volley cleanly held by Hansen in arguably the best effort of the second period.

Liverpool go to Blackburn on Monday desperate for an improved display and winning points.

Liverpool Reserves: Hansen, Darby, Antwi, San Jose, Irwin, Spearing, Flora (Crowther 69), Palsson, Mackay-Steven (Eccleston 69), Pacheco, Nemeth. Subs not used: Bouzanis, Mendy, Weijl.