Liverpool Reserves suffered a frustrating time in the North-East as they lost 3-2 to Newcastle United in a five-goal thriller on Tuesday night.

Raheem Sterling and Michael Roberts were on the mark for Rodolfo Borrell's side and Newcastle also missed a penalty.

Borrell headed into the game without injured duo Toni Silva and Suso and the suspended Craig Roddan, but U18s hot-shot Adam Morgan was called-up to lead the line.

With Kop legend Peter Beardsley being promoted to Newcastle Football Development Manager last week, Willie Donachie took charge of the United side.

The hosts fielded a strong line-up including striker Nile Ranger and Slovenian star Haris Vukic.

Newcastle were quick off the starting blocks and were awarded a penalty after just six minutes, but Ranger's effort was brilliantly saved by Tyrell Belford.

Sterling fired Liverpool into the lead after 15 minutes with a superb curled effort after great work from Morgan.

Liverpool had a great chance to go 2-0 up just before the break but Toon stopper Rob Elliott produced a magnificent double save from point blank range to keep out Sterling and Krisztian Adorjan.

However, the home side roared back and were 2-1 up inside eight minutes of the restart, with Ranger, making up for his missed spot kick netting twice.

The striker then set up Michael Richardson who fired home a spectacular effort to make it 3-1.

Stunned by the second half turn in fortunes, the young Reds refused to give up and Roberts netted to make it 3-2 after superb work from Ryan McLaughlin.

Borrell's charges had two late chances to snatch a point but Adorjan fired wide, and with the last kick of the game sub Joe Rafferty fired an effort inches wide.

Liverpool team: Tyrell Belford, Ryan McLaughlin (Joe Rafferty 84), Brad Smith, Stephen Sama, Andre Wisdom, Conor Coady, Raheem Sterling, Michael Roberts, Adam Morgan, Krisztian Adorjan, Michael Ngoo. Unused subs: Jamie Stephens, Jack Dunn, Adam Hajdu, Kristoffer Peterson.