Liverpool U18s were beaten 3-0 at home to Man City U18s on Saturday lunchtime, with Emile Heskey’s son playing a key role for the visitors.
Liverpool U18s 0-3 Man City U18s
U18 Premier League, Kirkby Academy
March 7, 2026
Goals: Lamb pen 15′, Headley 61′, Samba 74′
Simon Wiles’ youngsters faced one of their most difficult games of the season at the Academy, coming up against the U18 Premier League leaders.
Virgil van Dijk watched on from the sidelines, as he often does, the morning after captaining Liverpool to a 3-1 win away at Wolves in the FA Cup.
City had Reigan Heskey starting for them – son of the former Liverpool striker, Emile Heskey – and he looked a threat from the off.
Virgil van Dijk in attendance at Kirkby Academy ? #LFCU18s pic.twitter.com/onuhRktQZe
— The LFC Academy (@LFCAcademyX) March 7, 2026
It didn’t take long for the visitors to take the lead, with Teddie Lamb scoring from the penalty spot, having earlier seen another spot-kick saved by Kornel Misciur.
Prince Cisse was agonisingly close to levelling the scores minutes later, but his header didn’t quite make it over the line.
It was almost a carbon copy of last weekend’s goal, when the 17-year-old scored on his Liverpool U21s debut, but this time the ‘keeper produced an incredible save.
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)
Half time: Liverpool U18s 0-1 Man City U18s
Liverpool tried their best to find an equaliser early in the second half, with the in-form Josh Sonni-Lambie missing the target.
He and La’more Lee Forrester were both threats for the Reds.
City doubled their advantage soon after, however, with Heskey teeing up Dante Headley to head home and put them in complete control.
Xavier Parker brilliantly added a third for City with 16 minutes remaining, showing precisely why they are leading the way this season.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Saturday, February 7, 2026: Liverpool's Under-18's head coach Simon Wiles 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)
The defeat means that Liverpool stay fourth in the table, behind Merseyside rivals Everton on goal difference.
Wiles’ side’s next assignment is a trip to Wolves next Saturday (11.30am GMT) in the league.
Liverpool U18s: Misciur; O’Connor, Ayman, Cisse, Clarke; Upton, Murray-Holme,Farkas; Yeguo, Lee Forrester, Sonni-Lambie
Subs: Hilditch, Hickman, Eden, Conde, Konde
Next Match: Wolves U18s (A) – U18 Premier League – Saturday, March 14, 11.30am (GMT)