Teddy Bishop stepped up his return from an ankle ligament injury with 60 minutes for the U23s against Liverpool this afternoon. 

The midfielder, who has been out action for six weeks, played the first hour of the 3-0 defeat at Prenton Park in the Premier League Cup clash. 

Michael Crowe, who was on the bench for the first-team in the 2-0 defeat at Huddersfield yesterday, pulled off a number of good saves as a strong Liverpool team dictated the game. 

The Reds had eight players with first-team experience in their line-up and repeated the scoreline when the two clubs met at Portman Road in October. 

Crowe saved well from Harry Wilson’s header but the Wales U21 international was beaten soon after by Paulo Alves’ 19th minute finish.

Liverpool extended their lead on the half hour when 17-year-old Rhian Brewster fired in from close range. 

Crowe showed good agility to deny Wilson again and then Sheyi Ojo, before palming away another Brewster goalbound effort.

The Town ‘keeper was finally beaten again eight minutes from time though when Ben Woodburn toe-poked the ball into the net.