Whether it's the senior side or the Academy teams, Manchester City presently remain the barometer by which Liverpool's domestic success can be judged.
And a young Reds side was given a tough examination when edged out in a seven-goal thriller against their North West rivals in the Under-18 Premier League North at Kirkby on Saturday.
A brace from Lewis Koumas and an assist of sorts in charging down a goalkeeper clearance to provide Trent Kone-Doherty a goal were the highlights on a difficult afternoon for Marc Bridge-Wilkinson's side.
