England full-back Gary Neville played 60 minutes for Manchester United reserves in a 2-0 defeat at Liverpool on Tuesday night.

The United club captain is stepping up his comeback after spending almost 11 months on the sidelines with ankle ligament problems. Yet Neville could do little to prevent his side going down to a strong Liverpool side at the Warrington Wolves’ Halliwell Jones Stadium in front of a crowd of 10,546.

Denmark defender Daniel Agger - also battling back from injury having broken a metatarsal last September - Harry Kewell and Xabi Alonso were all in action for the Reds. Liverpool won with a first-half Alonso penalty and a late breakaway strike from Kewell.

Recent signing Martin Skrtel, a half-time replacement for Agger, and Jay Spearing also hit the bar for Liverpool. Moments before Kewell wrapped up the win United’s Danny Simpson was denied an equaliser when the referee ruled his header had not crossed the line. United, who also had a Chris Eagles goal ruled out for offside, finished the game with 10 men after Richard Eckersley was dismissed for two bookable offences late on.

Liverpool now lead the Premier Reserve League North by nine points.