22 mins Roberts shot 1-0

27 mins Virtue shot 1-1

Half time: Reds 1 Magpies 1

73 mins Ejaria shot 1-2

Full time: Reds 2 Magpies 1

Newcastle's second game in the Premier League International Cup ended in a narrow defeat to their Liverpool counterparts at the Prenton Park home of Tranmere Rovers on Friday night.

The game began in driving rain with a howling gale blowing off the nearby River Mersey and the Reds quickly mounted their first attack - Rhian Brewster testing goalkeeper Nathan Harker on 62 seconds.

Harker was then called into action to deny Matty Virtue in the 18th minute, with a visiting defender completing the clearance by hooking the ball away.

However it was the black and whites who struck first, Callum Roberts curling a beautiful left footer beyond Caoimhim Kelleher after 22nd minutes.

Sadly though that advantage lasted for just five minutes before Liverpool levelled; midfielder Virtue forcing in a low centre from the right flank. 

Level at the break, Newcastle threatened four minutes after the restart when striker Tom Heardman tested Kelleher with a header from a Victor Fernandez centre.

Within seconds the visitors should have retaken the lead as Roberts and Heardman exchanged passes before the former played in Fernandez - only for the Spanish youngster to blaze over from close range.

Roberts then came close to his second of the night just past the hour, before play switched to the opposite end and Virtue struck the goal frame after Harker blocked Cameron Brannagan's initial effort.

What proved to be the decisive goal came on 73 minutes; a close passing move ended with Liverpool's Ovie Ejaria rounding Harker to net.

Roberts did have one shot in the closing stages straight at the 'keeper and his low centre in added time deflected off an unwitting defender, but Kelleher scrambled to claim it.

A record of just one win in eleven reserve league and cup outings is grim, but United were slightly unfortunate to have left empty-handed, having supplied a more organised performance than in their recent away games. 

Thanks to GW

Group A results/fixtures:

Tue 24.10.2017 NUFC 2-1 Sparta Prague B
Fri 10.11.2017 Liverpool 2-1 Newcastle
Tue 28.11.2017 Liverpool v Sparta Prague B
Thu 30.11.2017 PSV V Sparta Prague B
Tue 12.12.2017 NUFC v PSV 
Tue 19.12.2017 Liverpool v PSV