AcademyU18s match report: Liverpool lose out in mini-derby with Everton

First-half goals from Braiden Graham and George Morgan put the away side in control of the mini-derby and despite chances for the Reds after the break, Malik Olayiwola increased the advantage midway through the second period.

Josh Sonni-Lambie then saw a penalty kick saved as fortune deserted the hosts, for whom the match was the last competitive fixture of 2024-25 and Marc Bridge-Wilkinson’s time in charge.

Liverpool were on top and assertive during the opening phases of the U18 Premier League North clash in Kirkby, though without creating any clear chances.

That changed on 16 minutes when Joe Upton’s shimmying footwork took him past two defenders at the edge of the box and allowed a set-up for Rio Ngumoha to his left. But the latter got too much on his finish and fired it over.

Everton promptly took the lead themselves. A slick move from deep saw possession fed out to the right flank and Olayiwola at the byline. He guided a low cross to the opposite post, where Graham was waiting for a tap-in.

Sonni-Lambie clipped a 20-yarder into the gloves of the goalkeeper before the Blues went so close to a second, Olayiwola’s angled effort beating Kornel Misciur but bouncing off the left post.

The visitors’ quick transitions were proving tricky for the Reds to deal with and another freed Charlie Stewart in space. However, his final finish sailed too high.

Back came the home team and a lovely threaded pass by Upton sent DJ Esdaille into freedom down the right and he lashed in a cross that Cam Williams managed to redirect towards the Everton goal. That was blocked, though, as was Sonni-Lambie’s follow-up.

Instead, it was the visitors who scored again. It came via the right once more, Stewart serving in a delivery to the middle of the six-yard box for Morgan to nudge past Misciur.

An outstanding recovery sliding challenge from Carter Pinnington prevented a potential second goal for Morgan soon after, and Ngumoha hit the side-netting as Liverpool rallied before the interval.

Bridge-Wilkinson’s side were at it right from the restart as they sought a way back into the game, with Sonni-Lambie swerving a shot off target having jinked around two opponents.

Next, Esdaille’s low centre into the Blues’ box was agonisingly touched away from Upton before he could convert at close range. The Everton rearguard got the ball partially away before blocking from Ben Trueman and Ngumoha.

The Reds carved through again when Williams arced a fine pass into the left channel for Oliver O’Connor, who skipped past the goalkeeper at the edge of the area. He unselfishly tried to set up Sonni-Lambie but the opponents cleared.

Liverpool needed Misciur to bravely block when Stewart and Olayiwola combined on another counter-attack, the latter’s blast repelled.

But it was brief respite. Misciur beat away a Graham strike from another Everton foray, but when the loose ball was fired towards goal by Harvey Foster it was flicked into the net by Olayiwola.

There was hope for the Reds when they won a penalty 16 minutes from the end, with Ngumoha’s latest dribble illegally halted with a Luca Davis trip.

Sonni-Lambie stepped up and sent his side-footer to the right corner, but Douglass Lukjanciks guessed correctly and sprung to glove the effort away.

Lukjanciks also made a one-on-one stop to deny substitute Kareem Ahmed from close range, while Joe Bradshaw dragged wide when sent through and Pinnington had a low drive saved late on.

Team

Liverpool: Misciur, Esdaille, Williams, Pinnington, Enahoro-Marcus, Upton, Onanuga (Ahmed, 62), B. Trueman, Sonni-Lambie, O’Connor (Bradshaw, 76), Ngumoha.

Unused subs: Airoboma, Bernard, Ayman.