Liverpool Under-21s have taken another step towards winning the league title courtesy of a 1-0 win away to fellow challengers Chelsea Under-21s this evening.

The Reds almost took the lead inside two minutes when Jack Dunn split the defence with a fine pass for Kristoffer Peterson, but Jamal Blackman was on hand for Chelsea to avert the danger.

The hosts threatened in the 11th minute as Tika Musonda set up brother Charly Musonda for a shot on goal that drew a good stop from the keeper.

Liverpool almost gifted Chelsea the lead in the 17th minute when Ryan Fulton misjudged a ball into the box, but Jordan Lussey was well-positioned to clear it off the line.

The visitors took full advantage of that let-off by taking the lead just one minute later as Dunn capped off a quick break with a chipped finish over Blackman, who had slipped on his way out to meet the striker.

Blackman was called into action again shortly after the half-hour mark, this time doing well to deny Lussey from doubling his side's lead.

Liverpool came within inches of making it 2-0 just seven minutes after the restart when Joao Carlos Teixeira curled a free kick from 25 yards past the keeper, only to see it come back off the post.

The visitors continued to threaten and could have added to their lead but for Blackman once again in the 77th minute as the Chelsea keeper did well to stop Peterson's drilled effort.

It was Fulton who was the busier keeper in the closing stages, however, as he made a double save to deny Charly Musonda before also keeping out a Casey Palmer effort to clinch all three points for his side.