The highly-rated England U17 starlet got the Reds off to a flyer when he drilled home inside the first minute to net his fifth goal of the campaign.

United responded and Sam Byrne's neat finish soon after looked to have earned the hosts a share of the spoils in what proved to be an end-to-end encounter.

However, deep into stoppage-time Liverpool swamped forward and substitute Nathan Quirk played in Dunn to seal the three points.

Mike Marsh's charges went into the clash on the back of a resounding win at Manchester City and they illustrated their desire to complete a memorable double-trip down the M62 when they went in front inside 20 seconds.

The hosts failed to clear a ball forward from the kick off allowing Adam Morgan to help it on towards Dunn. The attacking midfielder surged into the right-hand side of the area and crashed a low shot beyond ex-Reds stopper Liam Jacob to give Liverpool the perfect start.

The Red Devils were clearly shell-shocked and they were lucky not to be two down on five minutes. Marc Pelosi was left in acres of space on the far left of the area and after his drive was parried into the air by the 'keeper, Kristoffer Peterson somehow failed to convert the rebound from close range.

It would prove a costly miss too as Paul McGuinness's team pushed forward and levelled through Byrne on 11 minutes.

The super-charged opening lit the touch paper for a keenly contested affair and it was the visitors who created the better chances.

Morgan had a shot cleared off the line on the half hour mark and Pelosi saw a blockbuster arrow just over as the Reds looked to regain the lead.

The No.9 has been in fine form in front of goal for both the U18s and reserves this season but was left shaking his head in frustration after missing good chances either side of the interval.

United had rarely threatened but almost stole in front on the hour when Mats Daehli turned well inside the box and curled a smart effort just beyond the far post.

Liverpool responded and a stunning counter attack saw left-back Brad Smith surge through on goal. The Australian-born youngster unselfishly laid the ball across for Morgan who placed his shot wide of the far post.

At the other end, the home team came close again when Adnan Januzaj arced a free-kick in a central position past the upright.

With the game beginning to stretch both sides tested the respective rearguards and Tyrell Belford was forced to produce a superb double stop to deny Byrne his second of the game.

And it was a similar story for Dunn as his low piledriver was brilliantly kept out by Jacob after Morgan had got in behind the United defence and played an intelligent square pass.

A winning goal appeared to be on the cards and deep into injury-time Dunn tucked home to claim a superb victory for Liverpool.

Liverpool U18s: Tyrell Belford, Ryan McLaughlin (Lewis Hatch 56), Brad Smith, Joe Rafferty, Matty Regan, Peter Aylmer, Kristoffer Peterson, Jack Dunn, Adam Morgan, Marc Pelosi, Jordan Lussey (Nathan Quirk 80). Unused subs: Conor Wearing, Michael Wilson, David Moli.