Sunderland coach opens up on 'disheartening' exit of promising youngsters after heavy Liverpool defeat with Logan Pye set for Manchester United switch

Logan Pye is expected to complete a move to Manchester United, one of a number of young players to join top Premier League clubs in recent times.

It comes as a clinical hat trick by outstanding striker Layton Stewart lead the way to a 4-0 Liverpool win against Sunderland Under-18s.

Second placed Liverpool were always too strong for the Wearsiders and romped to a decisive victory.

Bryson told the Echo: “Overall, in parts of the game we were well organised but individual errors led to some poor goals from our point of view.

“Both Joe Hugill and James Foster played well and Ryan Gooch had a good game as well.

“What perhaps the public don't realise is that in a year, we have lost four of our outstanding prospects to big Premier League clubs such as Arsenal and Liverpool.

“The latest was only last week when 16-year-old left back Logan Pye was tempted to switch to Man United.

“We cannot offer professional terms until players are 17 so we are powerless to stop this practice.

“It is very disheartening to lose good players who have been with the club since they were nine-years-old.”

Meanwhile, Luca Stephenson, who left Sunderland to sign for Liverpool was named among the Liverpool subs bench.

Liverpool were ahead after only seven minutes when Tom Hill shot low into the net from 20-yards following a good build up.

On 38 minutes, they doubled the lead when a long ball out of defence was not dealt with by Sunderland and Stewart went on to lob the keeper.

After the break, Jack Armstrong shot over for Sunderland but on 53 minutes Stewart fired under keeper Jack Newman to make it 3-0.

The same player completed a well deserved hat-trick with a stunning chip over the keeper one minute from time.

Sunderland: Newman, Smith, Miller (triallist 86), Armstrong, Ord, Wombwell, (Turner Cooke 78), Foster, Jones, Gooch, Kiernan (Dicchio 72), Hugill.