Skrtel and Valencia make injury comebacks in Under-21 derby

Martin Skrtel and Antonio Valencia made returns to action from respective hamstring and foot injuries as Liverpool and Manchester United’s Under-21 sides met on Friday.

Winger Valencia had been out of action since October’s 0-0 derby draw with Manchester City, while Skrtel was returning to the pitch for the first time since the Reds’ 3-0 defeat at Watford in December.

Skrtel got through an hour at Prenton Park, while Valencia was withdrawn at the interval, replaced by recent senior debutant Timothy Fosu-Mensah.

First-teamers were on display for either side as Adnan Januzaj, Steven Caulker and Jordon Ibe all featured.

The game finished 1-1 after United youth captain James Weir – another player to make his first-team bow in recent weeks – cancelled out Jerome Sinclair’s opener.