Josh Sonni-Lambie went off injured before Joe Bradshaw equalised to earn Liverpool U18s a 1-1 draw away at Blackburn U18s.
Blackburn U18s 1-1 Liverpool U18s
U18 Premier League, Blackburn Rovers Football Academy
February 21, 2026
Goals: Cryer 6′; Bradshaw 55′
Looking to build on last weekend’s 6-1 home win over Leeds, Liverpool U18s made the short trip to Blackburn with two changes to the starting XI.
Josh Abe is away with England U16s so La’more Lee Forrester came into the team up front, while Ollie O’Connor replaced DJ Esdaille at right-back.
Notably, under-16s goalkeeper James Hilditch was named on the bench for the first time at under-18 level.
KIRKBY, ENGLAND - Saturday, September 20, 2025: Liverpool's La'more Lee Forrester 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)
Lee Forrester had the first chance but the angle proved too tight, the young forward firing at the goalkeeper who stood firm.
Blackburn then took the lead just six minutes in thanks to a superb goal from striker Tom Cryer, who lifted the ball over a challenging defender and struck the airborne ball from the edge of the box beyond ‘keeper Kornel Misciur.
The hosts pressed on and threatened Liverpool further, but Misciur ensured the advantage remained at just one goal.
Midway through the first half, though, Blackburn did manage to beat the 18-year-old shotstopper. However, Cryer was denied a brace thanks to a vital clearance from centre-back Lucas Clarke.
The ex-Man City defender, who joined 13 months ago, then nearly scored himself as he met a Joe Upton corner with his head, but he was unable to keep his effort down.
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)
Half time: Blackburn U18s 1-0 Liverpool U18s
Just before the break, promising young attacker Sonni-Lambie went down injured, reported academy source Lewis Bower, leading to coach Simon Wiles withdrawing him at the break for AJ Yeguo to ensure no further damage.
He wasn’t the only half-time change made by the boss, with 14-year-old Luca Eden replacing Haydn Murray-Holme in midfield.
The second half saw a different Liverpool emerge, with wingers Bradshaw and Erik Farkas increasingly involved.
It was the latter who hit the brilliant shot that created the equaliser 10 minutes into the second period. Farkas’ strike ricocheted back off the crossbar and into the path of Bradshaw, who managed to steer home from inside the box.
KIRKBY, ENGLAND - Saturday, November 1, 2025: Liverpool's Joe Bradshaw 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 pair later nearly combined again for a winner, Farkas finding Bradshaw on the break who set up Lee Forrester, only for goalkeeper Luke Thompson to deny the forward.
Blackburn then regained the ascendancy and applied pressure to the Reds, but it was arguably Liverpool who could have won the match when Luca Eden was denied a strong claim for a penalty in the final minutes.
Next up is a trip to the north east to play Middlesbrough, whom they are yet to face this season, on Saturday, February 28.
Liverpool U18s: Misciur; O’Connor, Cisse, Clarke, Powney Wain; Murray-Holme (Eden 46′), Upton; Farkas, Sonni-Lambie (Yeguo 46′), Bradshaw; Lee Forrester
Subs not used: Hilditch, Hickman, Ayman
Next Match: Middlesbrough U18s (A) – U18 Premier League – Saturday, February 28, 12.30pm (GMT)