What Went Wrong for Liverpool U18s in Their Disheartening Mini-Derby Defeat?
In a disappointing finale to their season, Liverpool's under-18s were comprehensively beaten 3-0 by Everton in the mini-derby, bringing an end to a campaign fraught with difficulties. This match, played on May 3, 2025, at Kirkby Academy, epitomised the Reds' struggles, as they finished bottom of the league with an 11th place finish out of 13 teams.
From the outset, Liverpool appeared somewhat assertive, with an early chance created by Joe Upton who showcased his footwork on the edge of the box to set up a shot for Rio Ngumoha. However, the 16-year-old wasted the opportunity, skewing his shot high above the crossbar. This miss proved crucial as Everton responded swiftly, taking the lead on the 19th minute. Braiden Graham, who initiated the move from deep, tapped in an unmissable goal, capitalising on a low cross delivered by Malik Olayiwola.
Everton seized control of the match, and by the 38th minute, George Morgan doubled their advantage with a close-range finish after an assist from Charlie Stewart. Liverpool’s first-half display had plenty of energy but precious little end product, and their inability to convert possession into goals was telling.
After the break, the Reds pushed for a comeback. They looked lively, with Josh Sonni-Lambie going close early on and a subsequent shot from Ollie O’Connor almost pulling one back. Liverpool's momentum, however, fizzled when Everton struck again through Harvey Foster, who capitalised on defensive frailty to make it 3-0.
A slight glimmer of hope emerged when Liverpool won a penalty after Ngumoha was felled in the 75th minute. However, Sonni-Lambie’s spot-kick was saved by Douglass Lukjanciks, further cementing the sense of despair enveloping the home side. Joe Bradshaw, Liverpool's top scorer this season, also failed to capitalise on a one-on-one opportunity, instead shooting wide under pressure.
As Marc Bridge-Wilkinson concluded his 10-year tenure as head coach, this defeat not only highlighted the need for urgent development within the youth ranks but also left lingering questions about the squad's ability to compete at a high level. The reality is, while youth football primarily aims to prepare players for senior football, a string of defeats can severely impact confidence and overall performance.
The final whistle marked not just the end of the match but the conclusion of a disheartening season for the under-18s. The significant question remains: how can Liverpool rejuvenate this talented crop for future challenges? Supporters are left pondering the key takeaways from this campaign and the pathway forward as attention now shifts to the off-season and potential improvements.
As the curtain draws on a turbulent season, Liverpool fans are encouraged to share their thoughts on where the team can improve and what they hope to see from the club's youth development programme moving forward.
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