West Brom youngsters net three in Liverpool but Reds' first-team starlet nets screamer in high-scoring clash
Albion under-21s' attack showed their teeth in a Premier League 2 clash at Liverpool - but fell to a rollercoaster 4-3 defeat.
A disappointing run of league results for Leigh Downing's bottom side continued with the Baggies youngsters' defeat at Liverpool's academy base in Kirkby.
Albion's youth teamers twice led on Merseyside but fell behind 3-2 and then another goal down as the hosts struck either side of half-time in an entertaining affair.
Winger Miller McDonald put the visitors ahead as he converted a back-post finish from a slick burst down the right flank and cross by in-form Remar McNeil inside 10 minutes.
Souleyman Mandey went close to doubling the lead but was denied by Armin Pecsi before recent Liverpool recruit Will Wright levelled matters.
The goal flurry continued as Mandey's bundled effort bounced over the line off home defender Noah Adekoya. But Albion's lead lasted just three minutes as Liverpool midfielder Trey Nyoni, who has played first-team football this season, tapped home.
The hosts took the lead for the first time four minutes before the break as starlet Rio Ngumoha curled a stunning strike into the far top corner after a mazy run. Ngumoha, 17, saw a goal disallowed in senior action in the FA Cup on Saturday.
Fifth-placed Liverpool went 4-2 ahead five minutes after half-time as Kieran Morrison beat Brian Okonkwo but Downing's youngsters were not done.
McNeil delivered some more star dust with a fine cross for midfielder Ryan Colesby, who like McNeil has stepped up from under-18s of late, to finish.
Albion's Alfie Maughan, the exciting full-back, also snatched an incredible point at the death but his goalbound stab was blocked by Clae Ewing.
The Baggies youngsters continue to prop up the PL2 standings in 29th position. They trail Derby and Burnley by a single point ahead of the next clash at home to Blackburn in Solihull next Monday night.
Attention has turned to Albion's bid for PL Cup glory, where they qualified for the last eight with a 1-0 victory over QPR at Alexander Stadium last week. The opponents and draw for the quarter-final is still to be confirmed.
Albion (4-2-3-1): Okonkwo; Maughan, Diomande, Abudu, Nelson (Letlat, 68); Blackshields (Ranger, 83), Colesby; McNeil, Mandey (Mfuamba, 58), McDonald (Francis-Caesar, 68); Ntege
Subs not used: Moses (gk)
