Dave Watson's side are still without a league victory in 2017 but a youthful Magpies side went close to returning from Merseyside with a point, until Okera Simmonds' strike just under ten minutes from time earned the hosts a victory.

United's side included a first start for goalkeeper Otto Huuhtanen, who joined the club in the summer of 2016 from Finnish side FC Ilves, while Matty Longstaff, Tom Allan and Craig Spooner - who were all part of Peter Beardsley's under-23 squad for the previous day's defeat at Swansea City - were all named in the squad for the weekend clash at Liverpool's academy.

With the clock ticking down, Simmonds profited from a fortuitous bounce to fire home the winner in the 81st minute and condemn United to defeat, which leaves them eighth in Under-18 Premier League North.

Watson's youngsters are in action again on Wednesday night, when they take on local rivals Sunderland in the fifth round of the FA Youth Cup at Eppleton Colliery Welfare (kick-off 7pm).

Newcastle United Under-18s: Otto Huuhtanen, Gideon Adu-Peprah, Ben Kitchen, Owen Bailey, Dan Lowther, Lewis McNall, Callum Smith, Kelland Watts, Matty Longstaff, Kieren Aplin, Thomas Allan (Jack Robson 70).

Subs not used: Mo Sangare, Keaton Marrs, Craig Spooner.