The Reds edged a disappointing encounter but needed a late equaliser from substitute James Ellison to rescue a point after the visitors had snatched an undeserved lead midway through the second-half.

It means Rodolfo Borrell's men enter the winter break unbeaten in their last two matches and showing real signs of improvement going into the New Year.

On a cold afternoon in Kirkby, the game got off to a slow start with neither side creating anything of significance in the opening exchanges.

Indeed, it was a first period devoid of any true quality in the attacking third, although Liverpool did look the more likely to make a breakthrough when the game briefly threatened to emerge from a midfield scrum.

Michael Ngoo almost sniffed out a half chance when his aerial presence caused problems in the Rovers rearguard before Tom Ince crashed a shot way wide of target after Krisztian Adorjan had found him with a superb reverse ball.

The Reds needed to step up a gear if they were to recapture the form that saw them ease to a 3-0 win against the same opposition back in October, and they made an immediate improvement following the interval.

Ince weaved his way down the left flank before delivering an inch perfect cross for Ngoo, but the towering forward somehow headed over with the goal at his mercy.

There seemed to be more urgency to Liverpool's play and Chris Buchtmann should have had a free run at goal on 55 minutes, but Ngoo over-hit a simple through pass following a lightning break.

Next it was substitute Adam Pepper's turn to go close when his jinking run ended with a low strike that fizzed agonisingly wide of the post.

It was one-way traffic, but just when it looked like the hosts would make their dominance count, the visitors broke forward and snatched a shock lead on 70 minutes.

The Reds then suffered another blow as Michael Roberts limped off the field injured, but they responded immediately and deservedly got level just two minutes later.

A quick-thinking free-kick from Pepper found Ellison, who turned on the left hand side of the area before curling a magnificent shot in off the post.

The home side continued to press late on but, despite chances for Adorjan and Stephen Sama, they couldn't find the winner.

Liverpool under 18s: Deale Chamberlain, John Flanagan, Jack Robinson (Adam Pepper 65), Stephen Sama, Matty McGiveron, Conor Coady, Chris Buchtmann, Michael Roberts (Craig Roddan 75), Michael Ngoo (James Ellison 70), Krisztian Adorjan, Tom Ince. Unused subs: Michael Ihiekwe, Liam Jacob.