Liverpool U18s suffered a disappointing exit from the FA Youth Cup on Saturday, losing 3-2 against Charlton U18s at home.
Liverpool U18s 2-3 Charlton Athletic U18s
FA Youth Cup third round, Kirkby Academy
December 13, 2025
Goals: Sonni-Lambie, Inglethorpe; Belton, McMillan, Tagoe
Liverpool U18s have become known for their fighting spirit this season, coming from behind on several occasions.
However, they left themselves with just too much to do in the third round of the FA Youth Cup, as they scored twice in the second half but still lost 3-2 at home.
In defence, Cian Powney Wain started just his fourth game at under-18 level alongside first-year scholar Lucas Clarke, who signed from Man City in January and is still regaining sharpness after injury.
The centre-back pairing was put under immense pressure in the first half and it took Charlton 18 minutes to find the opener through captain Jack Belton, who struck from 25 yards out into the top corner.
KIRKBY, ENGLAND - Saturday, November 1, 2025: Liverpool's La'more Lee Forrester during the U18 Premier League match between Liverpool FC Under-18's and Sunderland AFC Under-18's at the Liverpool Academy. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
The young Addicks scored again later in the half, as Ellis McMillan dribbled into the box and stumbled his way through the Reds’ defence to finish from close range.
There was still time left in the first period for Charlton to threaten again, but on this occasion, Reuben Reid’s shot from the edge of the box hit the post.
Half time: Liverpool U18s 0-2 Charlton U18s
On the other side of the break, things got even worse for coach Simon Wiles’ side, as another mazy run from McMillan saw him set up Bradley Tagoe to for past goalkeeper DJ Bernard, making it 3-0.
Liverpool quickly brought Charlton’s advantage back to two, though, with Haydn Murray-Holme sending a clever pass down the right for Joe Bradshaw to cross and find Sonni-Lambie, who tapped in from the centre of the six-yard box.
KIRKBY, ENGLAND - Saturday, September 13, 2025: Liverpool's Finn Inglethorpe during the U18 Premier League match between Liverpool FC Under-18's and Newcastle United FC Under-18's at the Liverpool Academy. Newcastle won 4-3. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
The momentum was with the hosts now, and substitute striker Finn Inglethorpe had a couple of chances before eventually nodding in at the back post from La’more Lee Forrester’s looping cross, with just three minutes of the 90 left to play.
There wasn’t enough time for an equaliser, however, and Liverpool exited at the third-round stage of the FA Youth Cup for a second year in a row, having lost at Preston last time around.
The under-18s return to league action on January 10 as they host Stoke and look to build on the first half of the campaign, which saw them pick up 13 points from 11 matches.
Liverpool U18s: Bernard; O’Connor, Powney Wain (Inglethorpe 46′), Clarke, Esdaille (Owen 70′); Murray-Holme, Upton; Bradshaw, Ayman, Lee Forrester; Sonni-Lambie
Subs not used: M. Wright, Hickman, Farkas, Martin
Next Match: Stoke U18s (H) – U18 Premier League – Saturday, January 10, 11am (GMT)