Josh Abe continued his breakout form with a hat-trick and an assist as Liverpool U18s thrashed Leeds 6-1, while Josh Sonni-Lambie scored his 20th of the season.
Liverpool U18s 6-1 Leeds U18s
U18 Premier League (17) | AXA Training Centre
February 14, 2026
Goals: Abe 34′ 50′ 55′, Clarke 47′, Sonni-Lambie 58′, Cisse 72′; Alker 86′
Abe has continued to make headlines in a breakthrough campaign, having only turned 15 in July as he made the step up from the U16s.
With experience in first-team training in recent weeks, the winger has found consistently excellent form while playing week in, week out with the U18s.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Saturday, February 7, 2026: Liverpool's Joshua Abe during the U18 Premier League match between Liverpool FC Under-18's and Everton FC Under-18's, the Mini-Mini Merseyside Derby, at Finch Farm. Everton won 2-1. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
On Saturday this brought a first-ever hat-trick at this level, with Abe opening the scoring in a 6-1 victory over Leeds at the AXA Training Centre.
Josh Abe: 2025/26 Liverpool U18 Stats
Metric Statistic
Appearances 10 (10 Starts)
Minutes Played 704
Goals 8
Assists 3
Mins per G/A 64
Club History: Following his rapid ascent through the academy, Abe became Liverpool’s youngest-ever player in the UEFA Youth League this season, making his debut in the competition at just 15 years, six months and 17 days old.
His left-footed finish, having been found in the box by Haydn Murray-Holme, was the only goal in the first half, but Liverpool were free-scoring after the break.
Centre-back Lucas Clarke doubled the young Reds’ lead from close-range after a corner almost immediately after the restart, before Abe completed his hat-trick with two goals in five minutes.
KIRKBY, ENGLAND - Saturday, November 1, 2025: Liverpool's Josh Sonni-Lambie 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 15-year-old then turned provider as he sent Sonni-Lambie through on the break, with the striker finishing well for his 20th goal of the season.
Sonni-Lambie had the opportunity to further add to his tally when substitute AJ Yeguo was brought down in the penalty area, but he fired his spot-kick wide of the post.
But Liverpool added another not long after, with Clarke’s centre-back partner Prince Kobe Cisse this time finding the back of the net from a corner for his first-ever U18s goal.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Saturday, February 7, 2026: Liverpool's captain Prince Cissé leads his side out before the U18 Premier League match between Liverpool FC Under-18's and Everton FC Under-18's, the Mini-Mini Merseyside Derby, at Finch Farm. Everton won 2-1. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Simon Wiles’ side continued to push for more as they found themselves in total control, but it was Leeds who struck next with Samuel Alker reducing the deficit for the visitors.
That denied Kornel Misciur the clean sheet he deserved but for Liverpool it was another emphatic win to make it five in six to start 2026.
After the frustration of a 2-1 loss to Everton a week previous, the young Reds can return their focus to the top end of the table – and for the likes of Abe and Sonni-Lambie, chances with the U21s are surely not far off.
Liverpool U18s: Misciur; Esdaille (O’Connor 45′), Clarke, Cisse, Powney Wain; Upton, Murray-Holme (Yeguo 63′); Abe (Lee Forrester 63′), Farkas, Bradshaw (Ayman 70′); Sonni-Lambie
Subs not used: M.Wright
Next match: Blackburn (A) – U18 Premier League – Saturday, February 21, 11am (GMT)