Jim Gannon handed home debuts to Owain fon Williams, Peter Thompson and Carl Baker but there was no place for Jonny Mullins who failed a late fitness test on an injured ankle.

Stockport-born Ryan Crowther, who left County for Liverpool in 2007, unfortunately missed out through injury as well

Gaz Owen led the lads out looking resplendent in their terrific new away strip of all black with gold flashings.

And there was an extra special welcome to Peter Thompson from a posse of fans from his old club, Linfield, who had travelled over from Belfast to cheer on their former hero.

Owen won the toss and attacked the Railway End occupied by around 300 Liverpool fans basking in warm sunshine.

Jordi Brouwer caused an early problem when he got in behind Owen but the County skipper recovered quickly to force him away from goal.

Carl Baker won applause for a brilliant ball to Leon McSweeney, playing at right-back, who got in a cross that was headed clear by Danny Ayala.

McSweeney then rattled the post with an angled drive that left Dean Bouzanis in the Reds goal well beaten.

Michael Raynes had to be at his very best to come across to stop Ryan Flynn who had broken with pace down the Liverpool right.

Thompson had so far received little service but, on 16 minute, Gary Dicker played a ball down the left channel. Thompson showed pace to get behind the defence and hit a low cross that just failed to reach Anthony Pilkington.

McSweeney, enjoying his new role down the right, then whipped in a brilliant low cross that caused concern in the Liverpool defence before the ball just cleared the far post.

Liverpool took the lead with a well-worked goal on 21 minutes. Brouwer headed a left-wing cross to the feet of Gerardo Bruna who had time to take a touch before beating fon Williams from 14 yards.

County responded almost immediately when Tommy Rowe played Thompson in but Bouzanis made a fine save from his left-foot effort.

The Hatters came close again on 35 minutes when Pilkington flicked up Michael Rose's pass and hit a 25-yard volley that dipped just wide.

Rowe then chanced his arm from distance, after great work from Paul Turnbull, but his shot sailed into the Railway End.

Dicker, who was having an excellent game in midfield, played a magnificent cross field pass to McSweeney who beat his man with ease and crossed to the far post. Baker tried to head the ball back across Bouzanis but got over the ball and the 'keeper made a save.

Turnbull then saw a low shot blocked by some desperate defending as the Hatters continued to turn the screw.

Just before the break Rose hit a free kick from a central position that was deflected wide. From the corner, taken by Rowe, Baker missed the target with a far-post header.

Half-time: County 0 Liverpool 1

Seven minutes after the break a trademark Liverpool passing move saw them create a wonderful opportunity for Bruna. The Reds' goalscorer tried to chip the ball over fon Williams but the 'keeper made a fine save.

A minute later Pilkington pulled the ball back to Thompson who beat sub 'keeper Martin Hansen from six yards but the ball bounced to safety off the foot of the post.

County deservedly got back on level terms on 62 minutes. Rose's inswinging corner caused panic in the Liverpool defence and the ball ended up in the back of the net. It looked as though Mikel San Jose got the final touch although Raynes certainly claimed it.

Gannon then made three substitutions with Jimmy McNulty, Matty McNeil and Dominic Blizzard replacing Rose, Baker and Dicker.

After 75 minutes a slip from McSweeney gave Brouwer a sight of goal but the striker pulled his shot wide of fon Williams left-hand post.

The Reds had another chance when McNeil lost possession and the ball was worked quickly to Andras Simon. Just like Brouwer, he pulled his shot wide of fon Williams left-hand post.

A dangerous cross from McNulty picked out Thompson at the near post. Pistol Pete was just about to pull the trigger when San Jose came in with a brilliant saving tackle.

County kept pressing and, with the very last kick of the game, Turnbull hit a 25-yard volley over the bar.

County: fon Williams; Rose (McNulty 65), Owen, Pilkington (Green 80), Dicker (Blizzard 63), Thompson, Baker (McNeil 63), Rowe, Raynes, Turnbull, McSweeney (Vincent 79)

Subs not used: Astbury, Havern

Liverpool: Bouzanis (Hansen 45); Kelly, Huth, San Jose, Ayala (Eccleston 45), Spearing (Metcalf 80), Lindfield, Flynn, Brouwer (Ammo 79), Brunan (Simon 58), Weijl (Kacanirlic 58)

Sub not used: Nemeth

Attendance: 3,434