Wolves under-23s 2 Liverpool 2 – Report

A healthy crowd of 4,394 turned up for the Premier League International Cup clash, and, needing a win to progress, the hosts were well on their way to the quarter-finals.

Jordao opened the scoring with a delightful drive, and Gibbs-White – who later cramped up and went off in added-on time – got the assist as Renat Dadashov netted the second.

But quick-fire goals from Joe Hardy and Harvey Elliott amid some sloppy defending saw Wolves bow out of the competition and the Reds go through instead.

New under-23s chief James Collins – who took charge earlier this month – was disappointed to let the advantage slip, but heaped praise on Gibbs-White and said he was OK afterwards.

"I probably kept him on a bit too long but I thought he was magnificent," said Collins.

"Seeing him come back and play with that attitude – the drive he showed, and the willingness to win the game – showed there are levels to strive for.

"It was great to see him. I enjoyed my night with him."

While Gibbs-White and Jordao were given starts, Benny Ashley-Seal was left out by Wolves and could be heading out on loan before the window shuts.

It was the hosts who started brightly, with Gibbs-White consistently finding pockets of space and calmly spraying the ball around.

Midfield partner Jordao was keen to stamp his authority on proceedings, too, and he put Wolves ahead in fantastic fashion.

The Portuguese struck the ball ever so sweetly from outside the box, and his powerful drive nestled in the far corner – Caoimhin Kelleher with no chance of getting to it.

It was a solid 45 minutes from Collins' charges, and they doubled their lead shortly into the second period.

Andreas Sondergaard collected a Leighton Clarkson free-kick and played a quick throw to Gibbs-White, who found Dadashov.

The centre forward then coolly worked the ball onto his right foot and slotted it home.

It was a lovely move, but then they switched off and – before they knew it – the Reds were level.

Hardy's close-range finish came in the 53rd minute, and Elliott's rasper in the 54th. From firmly in the ascendancy to on the ropes in an instant, it was a harsh lesson for Wolves' youngsters.

And that is how it stayed, with Dion Sanderson heading over after a peach of a cross from Gibbs-White. Jordao put one over at the death, too.

Wolves (3-4-3): Sondergaard; Sanderson, Otasowie, Richards; Nya, Jordao, Gibbs-White (Hanne, 90), Bueno; Cundle (Francis, 80), Dadashov, Campbell (Perry, 67)

Subs not used: Young (gk), Taylor, Hong, Dongda