The Reds went 2-0 up thanks to a first-half brace from Jordy Brouwer, but Bojinov, a 69th minute substitute, went very close just seconds after coming on and then played a big part in City’s goal 12 minutes from the end.
The former Fiorentina man lunged at the ball, swung in by Adam Clayton at a free kick, and did enough to unsettle the Liverpool keeper before it rolled into the net.
The Bulgarian has been out of action since sustaining a knee ligament injury just six minutes into his first start for City, last August’s home derby.
Reserves coach Ian Miller said: “Valeri claims he got a touch on it, as all good strikers would! Liverpool’s TV people told me it looks like Adam’s goal, but Valeri did very well after coming on, and he could have scored with virtually his first touch.
“The two teams were pretty even in the first half, but Liverpool were clinical in front of goal. I thought we were the better side after the break, and it was nice to see Valeri get some match action under his belt after so long.”
Liverpool: Peter Gulacsi, Stephen Darby (captain) (Martin Kelly 46), Emiliano Insua, Mikel San Jose, Ronald Huth, Damien Plessis, Ryan Flynn, Jay Spearing (Ryan Crowther 80), Jordy Brouwer, Krisztian Nemeth (Daniel Pacheco 66), Gerardo Bruna.
Subs: Chris Oldfield, Andras Simon.
City: Andreas Isaksson, Curtis Obeng, Karl Moore, Sam Williamson, Garry Breen, Michael Daly, Adam Clayton, Ashley Grimes, Alex Nimley-Tchuimeni, Paul Marshall, Christian Mouritsen (Valeri Bojinov 69).
Subs: Richard Martin, James Poole, Ian Daly, Matthew Brown.
