It was the Reds who drew first blood at Kirkby. Liam Millar guided Jordan Hunter’s cross into the path of Glen McAuley, who made no mistake from close range.

The Magpies were quick to level, though, as Lewis Cass, unmarked, applied the finishing touch to a free-kick.

Thomas Allan almost completed a quick-fire turnaround, but with 35 minutes on the clock, Liverpool re-took the lead through McAuley, who nodded in Adam Lewis’ cross.

United hit back again, though, as Allan got the better of goalkeeper Dan Atherton having been put through one-on-one.

Allan nearly grabbed a late winner for Dave Watson’s side, but 2-2 was how it finished.

Newcastle United Under-18s: Langley, Cass, Aplin, Watts, Allen (Joyce, 71), Goodridge, Longstaff, Robson (Young, 79), Wilson, Kasinga, Allan.