The Reds enjoyed two of the best opening chances of the Group E contest at Clayton Wood Training Ground.
Finn Inglethorpe saw a shot deflected just wide after strong work from Charlie Huth on the right.
The striker then tested the home goalkeeper as he picked up the ball outside the box to turn and shoot, though Oscar Hatton was equal to the effort.
It was Stoke who took the lead just past the 20-minute mark. A ball over the top of the Liverpool defence allowed Louie Bradbury to finish well.
The Reds almost responded through Erik Farkas, who curled an effort inches wide of the post after Haydn Murray-Holme and AJ Yeguo had combined in the build-up.
Instead, Stoke doubled their advantage when Bradbury’s through ball found Noah Pinder to round goalkeeper Matty Wright and score.
Ahead of the half-time interval, Liverpool did cut the deficit, with Inglethorpe getting on the scoresheet via a header from Isaiah Garin’s cross.
But after the break Stoke quickly added to their tally through Pinder during a swift counter-attack as the hosts broke down the right side to deliver.
The Potters then secured a three-goal advantage, Bradbury on target as Pinder turned provider having won the ball high up the pitch.
Huth then saw an opening from in close blocked on the line by Stoke after a dangerous cross from Yeguo opened up the chance.
Substitute Joe Dixon also forced Hatton into a brilliant save from a corner ball, but the Potters’ healthy lead remained.
And Stoke had the final say of the afternoon with Liverpool pushing forward, with substitute Jahdell Holgate scoring on a rebound following a Wright save.
Liverpool: M. Wright, Garin, Owen (Powney Wain, 60), Conde (Dixon, 46), Clarke, Murray-Holme, Huth, Hickman (Eden, 65), Inglethorpe (Coxon, 73), E. Farkas, Yeguo.
Unused sub: Dooley.
