RYAN Noble maintained his fine recent scoring run this afternoon, but was unable to prevent Sunderland reserves crashing to a 5-1 defeat at Liverpool.
Noble, who was rewarded for his hat-trick in last week's second-string win over Newcastle with a brief substitute outing in last weekend's first-team game with Fulham, converted a second-half penalty at the Reds' Melwood training ground.
Sunderland struggled from the off, and fell behind as early as the third minute as Uruguayan defender Sebastian Coates converted a low cross.
Black Cats keeper Lewis King made a decent save moments later, but Liverpool doubled their lead when Jay Spearing drilled home from 25 yards.
Spearing scored again from close range shortly before the interval, and while Noble's spot-kick briefly gave Sunderland hope, a late double from substitute Nathan Ecclestone handed Liverpool a comprehensive win.
Sunderland reserves: King, Marrs (Bagnall 70), Liddle, Laing, Egan, Cook, Lynch, Reed, Elliott (Knott 46), Deacon (Armstrong 70), Noble.
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