Liverpool Under-21s' Premier League 2 campaign got off to a frustrating start on Sunday as they were beaten 3-0 by Manchester City.
The ECHO was at the Kirkby Academy to provide analysis of the game as Barry Lewtas' young side were given a lesson in being clinical by their visitors.
Bajcetic given healthy reality check
After something of whirlwind pre-season with the first team, it was back to the day job for Stefan Bajcetic as he started in the centre of midfield for Lewtas' young charges.
The 17-year-old Spaniard will rightly reflect on a breakout summer from a personal point of view, having won plenty of plaudits during his time with Jurgen Klopp's side across July. So impressive, in fact, were Bajcetic's few weeks with the seniors that he was given a spot on the substitutes' bench at Fulham on Saturday lunchtime before being named in the lineup at Kirkby on Sunday.
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At a time when midfield options are depleted, Bajcetic will be hoping for further involvement in match-day squads while the likes of Curtis Jones, Thiago Alcantara and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain convalesce following respective injuries.
At 17, though, he is young, even for U21's football, and while he used the ball intelligently at times with either foot, City's No.10, Oscar Bobb, enjoyed a sensational afternoon pulling the strings in areas where the Reds midfielder would have liked to have halted him.
Bajcetic is undoubtedly one for the future at Anfield but perhaps this reality check, back in the relatively modest and subdued surroundings of the youth game, will be no bad thing for the youngster's long-term development as he continues to make his way in the game.
Chambers chance arises
Another member of Liverpool's match-day squad on Saturday was left-back Luke Chambers, who has perhaps seen a fleeting opportunity arise for him in the next few weeks.
With Owen Beck on loan in Portugal and Kostas Tsimikas currently sidelined, Chambers may just be required to be an Andy Robertson deputy if only until the Greek international returns.
That may mean call-ups to senior training in the coming days as the Reds continue to plot and plan in the midst of something resembling an injury crisis. Chambers was one of the Reds' better performers on Sunday, almost setting up Melkamu Frauendorf early on with a dangerous low cross. The 18-year-old was a constant outlet on the left and tried his best to supply the forward line at every opportunity.
A new contract that was signed last month is proof of how highly he is rated within the club and while this was not the ideal start to a new season of Premier League 2 football, Chambers will be able to reflect on an excellent summer from his perspective. It's not over yet, either.
Mabaya improvements can make big difference
And to the third member of this U21 side that has spent the summer with Klopp's team, Isaac Mabaya. The powerful right-back enjoyed a decent game going forward, constantly giving Kane Taylor something to chase as he stormed up the wing looking to get his crosses in.
Mabaya will surely have learned plenty during his time with the seniors, particularly watching Trent Alexander-Arnold at close quarters, but this was more of the same from the Preston-born defender that he showed with the first team across July.
Strong running down the right was often let down by the wrong option when it came to crossing and there were a few opportunities that fell flat by a poor cross as other Liverpool players waited in the box.
City winger Carlos Borges also had a superb afternoon on the left side, claiming two assists, which will no doubt have reminded Mabaya of the harsh demands placed on full-backs in the modern game from both a defensive and offensive perspective.
Still only 17, of course, there is much potential to work with for Lewtas where Mabaya is concerned and some improvement in his delivery will turn him into a real weapon going forward this campaign.
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