Fulham U18s suffered a disappointing defeat as their FA Premier Academy League season opened with a 3-1 loss to Liverpool.
The Reds started strongly and took the lead after just three minutes when Adam Dawson knocked the ball home following a brief lapse in the Whites' defence.
However, Gary Brazil's side responded positively, with midfield duo Reece Jones and Paudie Quinn pulling the strings.
Quinn almost drew Fulham level with a neat turn and strike, but his ambitious attempt sailed over the Liverpool bar, while centre-back Aaron Pierre also tried his luck from distance with his low effort skidding narrowly wide.
At the other end Finnish striker Lauri Dalla Valle and Krisztian Adorjan both tested Marcus Bettinelli's goal, with Pierre in particular keeping the Reds' growing threat at bay.
And it was from one Pierre tackle that saw the Whites draw level with his sprawling challenge moving the ball forward to skipper Jones.
His clever pass found Matthew Reece, and from nowhere the talented striker had the ball in the net with a breathtaking left-footed curler from 25-yards.
Liverpool responded however, and another flowing move freed Dawson whose low cross was turned in by Tom Ince (son of former England international Paul) to send the Reds in front at the break.
After the interval Fulham continued to battle intently, but with strikers Richard Peniket and Matthew Reece being frustrated by the impressive Andre Wisdom the Whites failed to really trouble the visiting 'keeper.
Albert Uwusu-Ansah tried his best to unlock the Reds' tight defence with a lively shift down the left, but as his skill and confidence grew the youngster found himself surrounded by red shirts.
With 20 minutes left Dalla Valle put the game beyond doubt, heading coolly over Bettinelli and rolling the ball home from close range.
Fulham U18s: Bettinelli; Pritchard, Pierre, Bangoura, Kamau; Dean, Jones, Quinn, Owusu-Ansah; Peniket, Reece.
Liverpool U18s: Oldfield; Flanagan, Wisdom, Coady, McGiveron; Dawson, Roddan, Cooper, Ince; Adorjan; Dalla Valle.