Three first half goals without reply saw the Shrimps fall to defeat against Liverpool U21s.

Mateusz Musialowski's deflected strike followed by Callum Scanlon's effort from close range saw the visitors two to the good just before the half-hour mark.

Bobby Clark completed the scoring with another deflected effort 10 minutes before the break.

The first chance fell to Liverpool on seven minutes when a cross to the back post was met with a shot, but David Tutonda was on hand to block the ball away to safety.

Charlie Brown played a neat one-two just two minutes later before breaking through on goal one on one, but Marcelo Pitaluga does well to get down and make the save.

Shortly after, Brown again looked to test the visiting keeper’s resolve with a stinging effort from distance, but Pitaluga was equal to it once more and managed to turn the ball behind for a corner. 

The deadlock was broken on 13 minutes when Musialowski struck from inside the Morecambe box, the ball took a wicked deflection and looped over Adam Smith into the back of the net.

Just before the half-hour mark, the away side doubled their advantage; the ball was played across to the left of the Morecambe box where Calum Scanlon had time to control the ball and slot it underneath Smith.

In an attempt to half the deficit on 34 minutes, Michael Mellon did tremendously to bring a high ball under his spell, he twisted and turned to evade the defender’s pressure, but ultimately couldn’t find the space for the shot.

With six minutes of normal time to play in the first half, Liverpool extended their lead when Clark’s shot took another deflection before bouncing home.

Half-time: Morecambe 0 Liverpool U21s 3

Five minutes into the second half, Cammy Smith tried his luck from distance, but the ball sailed well wide of the Liverpool goal.

Substitute Tom Bloxham then delivered an excellent cross toward Mellon at the back post, but the resulting header was off target.

Just after the hour mark, another half-time sub in JJ McKiernan picked up the ball, drove forward and let fly, the shot wasn’t too far over.

Mellon again came close on 68 minutes with an effort at close range which was deflected behind from the corner; the Burnley loanee then met Jake Taylor’s corner but failed to keep the ball down. 

The Shrimps continued to knock on the door and Taylor himself came close on 82 minutes with a curling effort from the edge of the box, though Pitaluga managed to palm the ball behind.

Moments later and it should’ve been one back as Mellon rocketed an effort against the post from close range. 

With minutes of second half normal time to play, James McConnell picked up possession and struck ambitiously from way out, the ball flew harmlessly over Smith’s bar.

Full-time: Morecambe 0 Liverpool U21s 3

Morecambe: A Smith, Tutonda, King, Mellon, Stokes (Bedeau, HT), C Smith (Slew, 78’), Taylor ©, Walker (Bloxham, HT), Brown (McKiernan, HT), Connolly, Melbourne (Senior, HT).

Subs not used: Moore, Rawson.

Goals: None.

Bookings: Brown, Mellon.

Red cards: None.

Liverpool U21s: Pitaluga, Clark, Chambers, Scanlon (Spearing, 78’), McConnell (Pilling, 89’), Pinnington (Jonas, 78’), Miles, Davidson, Hill, Musialowski (Danns, 89’), Fraundorf (Koumas, 65’).

Subs not used: Kelly, Kone-Doherty.

Goals: Musialowski (13’), Scanlon (28’), Clark (38’).

Bookings: Frauendorf, Pitaluga, Davidson.

Red cards: None.

Attendance: 1,607 (255 away)