Rodolfo Borrell's side were looking for a reaction following last week's frustrating defeat in the mini derby and deservedly took home the spoils courtesy of James Ellison's first-half strike.
 
The Reds dominated throughout and could have been ahead inside five minutes, but Andre Wisdom couldn't convert after a right-wing corner had left the Crewe defence at sixes and sevens.
 
The hosts were looking particularly menacing in the attacking third, but it was the visitors who were next to go close as Deale Chamberlain produced a superb one-handed save to deny Mike Koral's curler.
 
It seemed to inspire the Railwaymen into a brief flurry of goalmouth activity as they came even closer on 20 minutes when a teasing free-kick was guided just past the post by Cheyenne Dunkley.
 
However, Borrell's side regained the ascendancy and snatched the lead just shy of the half hour when Andre Wisdom crossed low for Ellison to steer home from inside the six yard box.
 
The visitors had rarely threatened in terms of producing any sustained pressure on the Liverpool goal, but they almost levelled five minutes before the interval when a lightning break ended with John Stephen drilling a cross-shot inches past the post.
 
The second period followed a similar pattern to the first, with Liverpool controlling possession, although chances proved more difficult to come by.
 
It wasn't until the 60th minute that the hosts were able to manufacture one of any serious note, when Stephen Sama saw his looping header drop just wide after Tom Ince had found him with a superb free-kick.
 
Substitute Michael Ngoo then struck the woodwork with a smart strike before Jack Robinson's close range shot was ruled out for offside.
 
The Reds continued to probe late on but could not find the finish to give them the greater margin of victory their performance deserved.
 
Liverpool under 18s: Deale Chamberlain, John Flanagan, Jack Robinson, Stephen Sama, Matty McGiveron, Craig Rodden, Andre Wisdom, Conor Coady, James Ellison (Michael Ngoo 55), Michael Roberts, Tom Ince. Unused subs: Adam Pepper, Chris Oldfield, Krisztian Adorjan, Marcus Giglio.