LFC U18s set for return to prestigious tournament in Northern Ireland

AcademyLFC U18s set for return to prestigious tournament in Northern Ireland

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By Andy Kelly

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Liverpool U18s will head to Northern Ireland later this summer to take part in a four-team tournament at the SuperCupNI.

Marc Bridge-Wilkinson's squad are part of an 'Elite' competition that also includes Manchester United, Valencia and Hertha BSC.

This one-off section has been organised to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the tournament, which first started in 1983 as the Milk Cup.

"Liverpool FC were huge supporters of the competition back when we first got things under way in the '80s and '90s," said founder and chairperson Victor Leonard.

"Indeed, we had the likes of Steve McManaman and Robbie Fowler starring at the tournament and they used their experiences in Northern Ireland as a launchpad for their successful careers.

"More recently, Trent Alexander-Arnold played in 2013 and over the last number of years we have developed strong working relationships with staff at Anfield.

"We are delighted to be welcoming Liverpool to Northern Ireland once again and we are sure that all of their matches will be supported by their huge band of supporters in Northern Ireland."

McManaman, now a coach and mentor at the club's Academy itself, notably scored a hat-trick in the final of the tournament's U16 section in 1988 as a 15-year-old.

Liverpool returned to the competition in 2012 when Brendan Rodgers sent over an U17 team to compete in the 'Premier' section and the Reds have been regulars at the tournament over the last decade.

The U18s will begin this year's edition with a match against Valencia at the Ballymena Showgrounds on Monday July 24.

On Wednesday July 26 there is a mouth-watering fixture against Manchester United at the Coleraine Showgrounds and their final game is on Friday July 28 as they face Hertha at the same venue.

Ticketing details for the 'Elite' matches will be released in the coming weeks.

The 2023 tournament kicks off on Sunday July 23 with the welcoming ceremony in Coleraine and concludes with finals day and the final set of 'Elite' fixtures on Friday July 28.

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