Barnsley fell to a 1-0 defeat against Everton in the Premier League Cup at Oakwell.
Visiting captain Anthony Evans' second half strike was enough to secure all three points for the Toffees, who also had Bassala Sambou's penalty saved by Jake Greatorex.
The Reds named a strong side for the visit of Everton, with the first team not in action until Tuesday 20 February due to Hull City's FA Cup involvement on Friday evening.
Greatorex, Ben Williams and Romal Palmer were the only inclusions from Friday's 0-0 draw with the Toffees at Southport's Merseyrail Community Stadium, with eight first team regulars on show at Oakwell.
Amongst those was new signing Christoph Knasmüllner, who joined from Austrian outfit Admira Wacker on transfer deadline day.
The former Bayern Munich and Inter Milan midfielder came close to opening the scoring inside seven minutes as he leapt highest to divert Ben Williams' cross towards goal, but the Austrian's header looped narrowly over the bar.
Barnsley continued to press and almost broke the deadlock midway through the first half when Knasmüllner won possession deep in Everton territory. His through ball found Mamadou Thiam, but the striker's shot was well saved by Mateusz Hewelt.
The visiting goalkeeper was called into action again moments later as he got down quickly to save Brad Potts' header after the Reds' midfielder was picked out by Stevie Mallan's free-kick.
Everton came out rejuvinated after the interval and came close to opening the scoring when Evans lashed a ferocious drive narrowly over the bar six minutes after the restart.
The Toffees were then awarded a penalty after Matty Pearson brought down Sambou, who saw his spot kick superbly turned onto the bar by Greatorex.
Sambou tested Greatorex once more on the hour mark as his poweful header was expertly kept out at the near post by the young Reds' stopper.
But Everton continued to carve out chances and were eventually rewarded on 70 minutes when Evans fired into the bottom corner from 20-yards.
There was still time for Barnsley to create one more chance, but Knasmüllner was unable to head home from Ryan Hedges' cross.
REDS XI: Greatorex, McCarthy, Williams, Mallan, Jackson (c), Pearson, Hedges, Potts, Thiam (Adeboyejo, 83), Knasmüllner, Palmer (Wardle, 32)
NOT USED: Kendrick, Berkovits, Smith
EVERTON XI: Hewelt, Markelo, Gibson, Denny, Holgate (Feeney, 60), Funes Mori, Evans (c), Grant (Baxter, 72), Hornby, Sambou, Henen
NOT USED: Hilton, Collins, Lavery
