Derby County’s Under 18s tasted defeat for the first time of the new calendar year in Saturday’s 2-0 defeat at the hands of in-form Liverpool at Melwood training centre.

A goal in the first half from Curtis Jones followed by a further strike in the second half by Liam Millar was enough for the host side to secure all three points and end Derby’s impressive unbeaten run of four league games.A contest that was largely cagey with very little separating the two teams, Liverpool began the brighter, creating their first opportunity on goal with just two minutes on the clock, before Derby carved out their own opening shortly after.It fell to Brandon Hitchman after he ran through in an attempt to capitalise on a second ball from 25 yards out and despite his powerful strike, Liverpool goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher saw it all the way and made a routine save to prevent the visitors from taking the lead.Whilst the Rams were experiencing an attacking period early on, the hosts still looked more dangerous going forward and on 14 minutes Millar would have broken the deadlock sooner had it not have been for a strong hand from the visitors ‘keeper, a trialist, to push the ball out of play.Just a minute later and Millar was proving to be difficult to deal with once again, only this time he turned provider, setting up his teammate Okera Simmonds – but he too was unable to get the better of the Derby shot stopper.On 28 minutes, the Rams’ backline was finally breached after the ball was cut back to Jones, who was eagerly waiting to hit perfectly an effort 25 yards out from goal.Justin Walker’s and Rory Delap’s side sought an immediate reaction after a run from Jayden Mitchell-Lawson saw him play the ball into the box for Cameron Cresswell – however, a heavy touch saw the ball go out of play and the chance was gone.Just before half-time, Liverpool were almost two goals to the good after George Johnston rose highest to head a perfect corner-kick delivery, but his connection directed the ball off target – ensuring the deficit remained at one.After the half time interval, a sharp start from both sides saw nothing more than possession interchange amongst the middle of the pitch and neither were able to make the most of their time on the ball.With 56 minutes on the clock, the ball was in the back of Derby’s net for a second time after a quick attacking move saw Millar clean through on goal to slot the ball past the ‘keeper.The Rams did try to find a way back into the encounter, but in the end, a committed and resilient effort from Liverpool saw the hosts ensure all three points stayed on Merseyside as the visitors unbeaten start to 2017 came to an end.Kelleher, N. Williams, Lewis, R. Williams, Johnston, Coyle, Simmonds, Dhanda, Millar, Jones, AdekanyeClayton, Atherton, Shariff, Hunter, BlairTrialist, Bogle, Mills, Edwards, Minkley, Rashid, Davidson-Miller, Hitchman, Davie, Mitchell-Lawson, CresswellC. Thomas, Fryatt, Whittaker, Brown, JiboduTweets by @ dcfcofficial