Liverpool U21's face West Ham United at Upton Park on Friday night, as they look to maintain their impressive start to the new Premier League campaign.

New U21's manager Michael Beale has so far led his side to a 1-0 opening day win away at Sunderland after an injury-time winner from Ryan McLaughlin, before earning a point in a 1-1 draw against Manchester United despite Jordan Lussey's excellent costless-kick being cancelled out by Tom Lawrence's equaliser.

For the third game of their 24-game season, the Reds face a West Ham reserve side who fell victim to two consecutive 2-1 defeats to Tottenham and Southampton before managing a 1-1 draw against Manchester City, however, they currently sit third from bottom in the league. 

It will be Liverpool reserves' first game without the services of Kris Peterson and Kristian Adorjan. Though the two youngsters played minor roles in the senior squad's pre-season a few months ago, both have moved abroad in search for increased first-team opportunities. Peterson signed a four year deal at FC Utrecht, whilst his former Hungarian teammate signed a three year contract, at Serie C side Novara. Youngsters Brad Smith, João Carlos Teixeira and Rafa Paez are also out on loan and so will be unavailable for selection.

They travel to London to face Nick Haycock's Development Squad whom he insists have started well despite their results. They were moments away from three points against City, until they conceded a late equaliser. 

Haycock said: "We had a meeting about the Manchester City game and the first three games as a whole. We know we are a little unlucky in terms of the amount of points we have, but the performances are improving with a young side playing together."

When asked if there was anything specific the team needs to work on, Haycock replied: "It's pretty much more of the same of what we have been doing. We just need to be a little more clinical at the top end of the pitch, as well as keeping that defensive security. If we do that, we'll give a good account of ourselves against Liverpool."

Nevertheless, though the home side will be keen to build upon their tally of a single point and Beale will be confident that his side can continue the form they have displayed in their first two games. The ex-U16's boss has a number of promising prospects at his proposal; including powerful midfielder Jordan Rossiter, tricky winger Harry Wilson, promising Spanish midfielder Sergi Canos and not to mention prolific German youth international striker Samed Yesil who has returned after rupturing his anterior cruciate ligament for twice in 2013 - who have all featured a few times already, and will be expected to feature on Friday.