The 20-year-old was named in the starting line-up for the clash against a strong Liverpool side, which included ex-England international Joe Cole as an over-age player, on Monday.
But despite the return of several familiar faces, The Whites were unable to contain the Merseysiders who won the encounter 3-0.
U-21 coach Kit Symons had hoped to build on the win against Manchester City the previous week but admitted Liverpool proved too strong in the end.
“We lacked a bit of belief and came too deep and couldn’t really get out, we were penned in for long periods,” he says.
“It wasn’t a particularly good display, there weren’t enough good performances.”
Despite the loss, Symons was pleased to have several players back from injury – and to see the New Zealander make his debut.
“It was James Musa’s first game since he signed which was obviously good,” he says.
“So things like that we’ll take as positives but there’s not too many today to be honest.”
Musa will be delighted to have his first game under his belt and will now look to cement a place in the line-up.
“I want to establish myself as a regular starter in the U-21 side first and then prove that I deserve a contract renewal,” he says.
“If I play as well as I know I can I will hopefully make the step up to the first team and then will try to take my chances when they come.”
Musa, who was selected for the Oly Whites’ campaign at the 2012 London Olympics, signed a five-month contract in September with a view to possibly extending that in January.

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