READING Under 23s suffered a 5-1 defeat to Liverpool at Adams Park last night.

A young Royals side were second best throughout the Premier League 2 fixture.

Martin Kuhl's hosts started brightly with Joseph Mendes linking up with Deniss Rakels before testing Reds keeper Kamil Grabara.

But the visitors went in front soon after when George Legg palmed a Harry Wilson effort out for a corner from which Joe Gomez volleyed home.

Liverpool pressed for a second and saw Sheyi Ojo hit the woodwork after Legg had pushed out a stinging effort from Trent Alexander-Arnold.

Royals withstood that pressure as Mendes, Yakou Meite and Rakels all had decent chances to equalise.

But they were soon made to pay for those missed opportunities when 16-year-old Rhian Brewster drilled the ball past Legg from the edge of the area for a 2-0 lead.

Reading, though, pulled one back almost immediately, Mendes netting from the penalty spot after Andy Rinomhota had been fouled in the box.

Sadly, that was as good as it got for Kuhl's side as Brewster tapped in for 3-1 after Ojo's initial effort had rebounded off the post.

The home side refused to lie down and created a number of openings which Rakels, Mendes and Jordan Holsgrove failed to make the most off.

But Liverpool added a fourth when skipper Wilson's smart pass was swept home by Ben Woodburn and their fifth arrived when Nat Phillips netted from the edge of the area.

Reading U23s take on Tottenham at Stevenage FC next Monday (7pm ko).

Reading U23: Legg, Frost, Richard, Osho, Dickie (c), Holsgrove, Rinomhota, Barrett, Meite (Holmes 46), Rakels (Novakovich 63), Mendes. Subs not used: Southwood, Hyam, Smith.