Virgil van Dijk was present to watch Liverpool U18s lose 2-1 to Middlesbrough in their final home match of the season, as Prince Cisse was forced off with a head injury.
Liverpool U18s 1-2 Middlesbrough U18s
U18 Premier League, Kirkby Academy
May 2, 2026
Goals: O’Connor 90+2′; Tika-Lemba 3′, Smith 26′
Liverpool U18s’ last home game of the campaign followed a familiar pattern, as defensive mistakes cost the Reds despite some promising attacking performances.
Simon Wiles gave goalkeeper Matty Wright his first U18 Premier League start, the coach playing a young side that featured 16-year-olds Isaac Konde and Erik Farkas.
The afternoon started in nightmare fashion for left-back Harvey Owen, whose slip allowed Ezra Tika-Lemba in to finish powerfully across the goalkeeper just two minutes after kick-off.
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)
Tyler Smith then scored an even more impressive goal, 26 minutes in, curling into the top corner beautifully with his weaker right foot, from the edge of the box.
Between the strikes, Liverpool suffered a blow as Dijbril Cisse’s son, promising defender Prince Cisse, was forced off after receiving an elbow to the head during an aerial duel with Lucca Kazi Kakai.
The versatile Alvin Ayman, who signed from Wolves in 2024, was Wiles’ chosen replacement.
Joe Bradshaw, playing up front for the afternoon, was Liverpool’s biggest threat. He narrowly missed the target in the first half, as did Ollie O’Connor whose effort was deflected by opposite full-back Smith.
The U18s Premier League action is underway at Kirkby Academy ??
A chance to go level after the visitors took an early lead – Watch #LFCU18s live: https://t.co/3HqlDZqzaC ? pic.twitter.com/zZbzMjifES
— The LFC Academy (@LFCAcademyX) May 2, 2026
Half time: Liverpool U18 0-2 Middlesbrough U18s
The Reds improved after the break as their young substitutes made an impact.
La’more Lee Forrester came on to drive at opposition defenders, while Charlie Huth and Zac Coxon were awarded their under-18 debuts.
Coxon, in particular, stood out on the right. He should have had an assist to his name, thanks to a brilliant cross that Lee Forrester somehow headed well over the bar despite being unmarked in the middle of the box.
Lee Forrester and Coxon continued to cause problems into injury time and Liverpool pulled one back in the 92nd minute through O’Connor, who clinically finished a rebound following his teammate’s run and shot.
FRANKFURT, GERMANY - Wednesday, October 22, 2025: Liverpool's Oliver O'Connor celebrates after scoring his side's fifth goal during the UEFA Youth League match between Eintracht Frankfurt Under-19's and Liverpool FC Under-19's at Sportpark Dreieich. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
All three U18 Premier League debutants gave a good account of themselves; Wright made a fantastic save late on as he scrambled across his line to keep out what seemed a tap-in for Lucas Harrison.
Just one game remains for Liverpool U18s this season: a trip to Derby next Saturday. A win would mean they finish seventh or eighth in the 14-team table.
Liverpool U18s: M. Wright; O’Connor, Cisse (Ayman 18′ (Lee Forrester 64′)), Clarke, Owen; Murray-Holme, Upton; Hickman, Konde (Huth 70′), Farkas; Bradshaw (Coxon 75′)
Subs not used: Hilditch
Next Match: Derby U18s (A) – U18 Premier League – Saturday, May 9, 12pm (BST)