Fourteen-year-old Luca Eden scored and Josh Sonni-Lambie hit a hat-trick for Liverpool U18s as they thrashed Burnley U18s 7-1 at home.
Liverpool U18s 7-1 Burnley U18s
U18 Premier League (14), Kirkby Academy
January 24, 2026
Goals: Sonni-Lambie pen 12′ pen 18′ 40′, Abe 22′, Lee Forrester 51′ 62′, Eden pen 90+1′; Derbyshire 5′
Having played a friendly against Marseille in midweek, eight of those who made the trip to France played some part as Liverpool U18s won their third consecutive league match.
Head coach Simon Wiles fielded a makeshift back four featuring midfielders Ellis Hickman and Alvin Ayman, as well as right-back DJ Esdaille partnering Lucas Clarke at centre-back.
Joe Upton, Erik Farkas and Haydn Murray-Holme lined up in midfield behind an attacking trio of Sonni-Lambie, Finn Inglethorpe and Josh Abe.
KIRKBY, ENGLAND - Saturday, September 20, 2025: Liverpool's Joshua Abe during the U18 Premier League match between Liverpool FC Under-18's and Blackburn Rovers FC Under-18's at the Liverpool Academy. (Photo by Rafaella Mcintosh/Propaganda)
The latter is just 15 years old and this week signed with Tyler Alexander-Arnold’s agency after receiving a tour around Real Madrid‘s facilities.
Back to the match and the U18s have become the division’s comeback kings this season, but Saturday’s battle from behind required far less drama.
It didn’t take long for Liverpool to respond to Braidin Derbyshire’s early opener for the visitors, with Sonni-Lambie striking twice from the penalty spot before 20 minutes had been played.
The second penalty came as a result of a late tackle on Inglethorpe, which forced the young striker off injured.
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)
With winger La’more Lee Forrester taking his place the Reds pressed on, scoring again four minutes later through Abe.
Twenty minutes then passed before Sonni-Lambie completed his hat-trick as Farkas provided his second assist of the day, feeding his in-form striker from deep to finish smartly for his 18th goal this season.
Half-time: Liverpool U18s 4-1 Burnley U18s
KIRKBY, ENGLAND - Saturday, September 13, 2025: Liverpool's Lamore Forrester 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)
With the Reds three goals to the good at the break, young midfielder Eden came on for Upton who had played 73 minutes in Marseille.
Lee Forrester then staked his claim to a start in the coming weeks, scoring twice in the second half.
The first came thanks to his own hard work, winning the ball back and finishing calmly, before the second saw him run in behind and score past the ‘keeper.
In added time, 14-year-old Eden completed the rout, earning and scoring a penalty to break teammate Abe’s record as the U18s’ youngest-ever goalscorer.
Liverpool U18s: Bernard; Hickman, Esdaille, Clarke, Ayman; Upton (Eden 46′), Murray-Holme, Farkas; Abe (Conde 67′), Inglethorpe (Lee Forrester 15′); Sonni-Lambie (O’Connor 60′)
Subs not used: M.Wright
Next Match: Derby U18s (H) – U18 Premier League – Friday, January 30, 12pm (GMT)