Will Wright continued his recovery from a long-term knee injury with another hour of football in Liverpool’s unannounced friendly against Marseille U19s.
Marseille U19s 2-0 Liverpool U19s
Friendly | Stade Francis Turcan
January 21, 2026
Goals: Leccese 62′, Guirassy 74′
Unfortunately it came in a 2-0 defeat for the young Reds, who will still view their runout in the south of France as beneficial.
MARTIGUES, FRANCE - Wednesday, January 21, 2026: Liverpool's Will Wright during a Under-19's friendly match between Olympique de Marseille Under-19's and Liverpool FC Under-19's at the Stade Francis Turcan. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Rob Page and his players travelled alongside the first team ahead of their Champions League clash with Marseille and a strong U19s side kicked off at the Stade Francis Turcan on Wednesday afternoon.
That included starts for the likes of Amara Nallo, Kieran Morrison and Trent Kone-Doherty, while left-back Calum Scanlon made his second appearance after 11 months out with a hamstring injury.
Wright almost got Liverpool off to the perfect start when, three minutes in, Nallo won the ball high up the pitch and the striker fired an attempt just wide.
MARTIGUES, FRANCE - Wednesday, January 21, 2026: Liverpool's Calum Scanlon during a Under-19's friendly match between Olympique de Marseille Under-19's and Liverpool FC Under-19's at the Stade Francis Turcan. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
A strong rearguard effort was needed as Marseille took control for much of the half, with goalkeeper Kornel Misciur making a number of saves and both Scanlon and Emmanuel Airoboma pulling out vital interventions.
Misciur could do nothing about the hosts’ opener, however, with midfielder Milan Leccese spotting him off his line and lofting the ball in from the centre circle.
Another from Moctar Guirassy, who turned in Antoine Valero’s cross after a scramble in the area, completed the scoring in a 2-0 defeat for Liverpool soon after.
MARTIGUES, FRANCE - Wednesday, January 21, 2026: Liverpool's Trent Kone-Doherty crosses the ball during a Under-19's friendly match between Olympique de Marseille Under-19's and Liverpool FC Under-19's at the Stade Francis Turcan. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
There were opportunities for the young Reds late on, including for substitutes Keyrol Figueroa and Finn Inglethorpe, as Page used his bench to make eight changes throughout.
Misciur, Nallo and Carter Pinnington were the only players to stay on for the full 90, with valuable experience given to the likes of Ellis Hickman, 16, Haydn Murray-Holme, 17, and La’more Lee Forrester 17.
Even in defeat it was a useful runout for Liverpool, who are preparing for their UEFA Youth League round-of-32 clash with MSK Zilina on February 3.
MARTIGUES, FRANCE - Wednesday, January 21, 2026: Liverpool's Keyrol Figueroa (L) clashes with Olympique de Marseille's Antoine Valero during an Under-19's friendly match between Olympique de Marseille Under-19's and Liverpool FC Under-19's at the Stade Francis Turcan. Marseille won 2-0. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
The majority of those involved on Wednesday will be available for that tie against Slovakian opposition, though Nallo and Scanlon are not eligible for official U19s fixtures.
Wright scored his first competitive goal for Liverpool in the U21s’ 7-0 thrashing of Arsenal at the weekend, with the 18-year-old also assisting twice.
Liverpool U19s: Liverpool: Misciur; O’Connor (Hickman 61′), Airoboma (Clarke 80′), Nallo, Scanlon (Ayman 61′); Pinnington, Upton (Murray-Holme 73′); Morrison (Bradshaw 80′), Sonni-Lambie (Inglethorpe 73′), Kone-Doherty (Lee Forrester 81′); W.Wright (Figueroa 62′)
Subs not used: Bernard, M.Wright
Next match: MSK Zilina (A) – UEFA Youth League – Tuesday, February 3, 3.30pm (GMT)