On a day when Anfield mourned the death of Emlyn Hughes, it was a fitting tribute to a man who signed for the Reds at the age of 19 that Rafa Benetiz gave youth its chance against Middlesbrough.
But this crop of Liverpool youngsters fell far short of the standards old Crazy Horse would have demanded in his prime.
They looked like lost little boys rather than the stars of the future we are led to believe.
Millions of pounds have been invested in cultivating the Hughes' of tomorrow but on the evidence of this display it could be money better spent elsewhere.
Darren Potter on the right-hand side of midfield showed enough poise and invention to suggest he could be a contender some day - but his display was merely competent and far from dynamic.
Neil Mellor, Zak Whitbread and Florent Sinama-Pongolle all failed to take advantage of their rare starting berths and it was left to the Kop's current flavour of the month, Igor Biscan, to provide any kind of creative spark.
Both sets of supporters impeccably observed a poignant minute's silence before kick-off and in the opening few minutes it seemed the emotion of the night had given the home side extra energy.
Biscan's fizzing drive in the second minute signalled their early intent and two minutes later the big Croat's positive run played in Potter who lofted a wild shot high and wide.
Biscan's surprising new lease of life as Liverpool's premier play-maker was confirmed just before the half-hour mark when he beat two challenges before playing in Sinama-Pongolle.
The Frenchman's shot was pounded away by an agile Carlo Nash and Stephen Warnock's cross was headed just over by Mellor.
Boro had to wait until the 29th minute for their first chance of note and even then Frank Queudrue's wayward header gave them little encouragement.
But just before half-time Bolo Zenden was incredibly unlucky to have a goal ruled out for offside after Mark Viduka's deflected pass left him one on one with Jerzy Dudek.
Steve McClaren later said the linesman's indiscretion was the turning point in an otherwise tightly fought contest.
Boro started the second period with drive and purpose threatening twice early on through James Morrison and Joseph-Desire Job.
Biscan was again pulling the strings for the Reds and another rampaging run from the Croatian culminated in Mellor floating a half-hearted effort over the bar.
But with just eight minutes left Liverpool finally made the breakthrough.
Turning defence into attack Potter turned his defender on the halfway line before picking out Ritchie Partridge whose slide-rule pass gave Mellor a clear sight of goal.
The former West Ham loanee looked second favourite as Nash raced from his line but he flicked the ball neatly over the on-rushing keeper and into the net, much to the delight of an increasingly impatient Kop.
Boro's half-hearted efforts to get back in to the game were well and truly thwarted with two minutes remaining.
Zenden lost possession on the edge of his own box and Mellor took two touches before firing home a wicked left-foot shot.
The jubilant celebrations that followed were tinged with an equal measure of disbelief by players and fans alike.
Suddenly buoyed, Liverpool's every pass was applauded but on a night when the Anfield youngsters failed to live up to their trail-blazing predecessors, Benitez will know his side were lucky to escape with such a flattering victory.