Marine fell to a 1-5 defeat to a Liverpool FC XI at the MTA on Sunday afternoon, as the current European Champions sent a team to Crosby as part of the Mariners’ 125th anniversary celebrations.

The hosts, again wearing their new commemorative 125 black and gold home shirt, kept themselves in the game for the majority of the contest, Germano Mendes showing off some impressive saves to keep out Isaac Christie-Davies and Rhys Williams. They had early chances of their own despite extended spells of Liverpool possession, new signing Rumenio Barai displaying some positive runs to threaten the visitors’ defence.

However the opening goal came on the half-hour mark, Liverpool full-back Tony Gallagher bending in a shot from outside the box past Mendes.

Brett Mbalanda entered the fray at half-time having impressed up front in the second half of last season, coming on for Niall Cummins up front as a trialist also came on to replace Mendes in goal.

Marine equalised through an outfield trialist five minutes after half-time, the number 10 lashing the ball past Shamal George to make it 1-1.

The home side’s trialist goalkeeper saved a penalty from Liam Millar shortly after, but the Canadian tapped in the rebound to put Liverpool ahead.

Christie-Davies extended the visitors’ lead after 64 minutes, before new signing Kieran Holsgrove came on for the hosts after also impressing during a spell last season.

The former West Bromwich Albion and Watford winger nearly put an ambitious effort from distance in the top corner, but George was there to keep it out.

Liverpool scored two late goals through Jack Bearne and Liam Millar again to close the contest at 1-5.

Marine: Germano Mendes (Trialist, 46), Joshua Solomon-Davies (Trialist, 83), James Ellison, Scott Lycett, Kenny Strickland, Ethan Devine (Kieran Holsgrove, 67), Rumenio Barai (Trialist, 67), Trialist, Niall Cummins (Brett Mbalanda, 46), Trialist, James Barrigan (Trialist, 76).
Unused subs: None.

Liverpool FC XI: Ben Winterbottom, Neco Williams, Tony Gallagher, Rhys Williams, Morgan Boyes, Matteo Rataccio, Elijah Dixon-Bonner, Abdi Sharif, Fidel O'Rourke, Isaac Christie-Davies, Louis Longstaff.
Subs: Tom Clayton, George Johnston, Herbie Kane, Pedro Chivirella, Liam Millar, Jack Bearne, Dal Varesanovic, Shamal George.

Referee: Mr. Luis Griffiths. Assistant referees: Mr. Cal Jones, Mr. Francis Sibley.

Attendance: 416.