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The midfielder wrapped things up at Leigh Sports Village with a goal midway through the second half.

Reds goalkeeper Kornel Misciur put his team in position to secure the three points with a number of good saves throughout.

The best chance of a cagey first half for United fell in the last minute when former Liverpool player Ethan Ennis was denied from close range by the outstretched Miscuer. Ethan Wheatley was off target with the rebound under a challenge from Carter Pinnington.

Misciur had produced relatively comfortable saves to thwart Ennis and then Jack Fletcher earlier.

The visitors, who lost Tommy Pilling early through injury, almost found a breakthrough with Tom Hill, but Tyler Fredricson intervened just before the striker could get a shot from inside the box .

Misciur was at it again after the break, holding out strong strikes from Dan Gore, Habeeb Ogunneye, Ethan Williams and Toby Collyer.

Liverpool tested Dermot Mee in the United net for the first time on the hour mark, Terence Miles moving forward from his right back position and unleashing a shot which would have found the bottom corner.

It was a sign that Barry Lewtas’ team was becoming a threat in the future, and they went on to take the lead with 67 minutes on the clock.

Misciur pulled off a final save going into the last 10 to thwart Ennis again and get a deserved clean sheet.

TEAM

Misciur, Miles, Jonas (Nallo, 80), Pinnington, Norris, Corness, Morton, Nyoni (Davidson, 80), Hill, Cannonier (Young, 46), Pilling (Morrison, 13).

Unused Sub: Trueman.

THE REVIEW

The U21s return from the international break with the Merseyside derby against Everton on Saturday 26 October.

Kick-off at Kirkby Academy is scheduled for 2pm BST.

“It’s a tough team; ingenious, they are unpredictable. I’m glad we managed to win the game.

“It’s normal [that Bologna had good spells]they are a team playing in the Champions League. It’s a tough team. They had a very good season last season.

“The manager spoke at half-time, and as players we also spoke to each other. We said to stick together and try to play our football, and I think that’s what we did in the second half.”

Liverpool are one of seven clubs to have won their opening two games in the revamped league stage, which will see only the top eight of 36 teams guarantee a place in the last 16.

Encouraging the competition, Salah said: “Hopefully. It’s too early so we don’t have to put pressure on ourselves, we just have to take it game by game and see what happens.”