It is looking increasingly likely that the Liverpool Senior Cup final - between Everton U21s and Runcorn Linnets - will have to take place amid preparations for next season, or once the new campaign is underway
HALEWOOD, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 07: (THE SUN OUT, THE SUN ON SUNDAY OUT) Hadyn Murray-Holme of Liverpool and Shea Pita of Everton in action during the U18 PL match at Finch Farm on February 07, 2026 in Halewood, England. (Photo by Nick Taylor/Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
Hadyn Murray-Holme of Liverpool and Shea Pita of Everton in action during the under-18s match at Finch Farm on February 07, 2026 in Halewood, England(Image: Nick Taylor/Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
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Everton’s youngsters’ quest to end the campaign with silverware looks like it will now have to wait until the other side of the summer break.
The club’s Under-21s reached the latter stages of the Premier League International Cup and the Under-18s fell in the quarter-finals of the prestigious FA Trophy in a campaign that saw several prospects shine in tournament football.
That bid could still end in success, with the U21s having reached the final of the historic Liverpool Senior Cup. The game is still yet to be scheduled, however, and is unlikely to be fulfilled before pre-season at the earliest.
That is because of the summer break for Everton’s youngsters, several of whom are also currently on international duty. That includes 18-year-old starlet Braiden Graham, whose goals were pivotal in each of the senior academy cup runs as he represented the U18s in the FA Trophy whilst otherwise playing a leading role in the U21s' league and cup exploits.
Graham received his first call-up to the senior Northern Ireland team last week and will be in the squads to face Guinea, on Thursday, and France, next Monday. Defender Odin Samuels-Smith made his senior debut for Jamaica in a win over India last week before making the bench in a defeat to Nigeria.
Everton reached the final of the Senior Cup after an entertaining 3-2 win over Warrington Rylands. Goals from Shea Pita, Luka Davis and Ademide Akarakiri led Everton to a final with Runcorn Linnets.
That match was initially scheduled for May 9 but clashed with the commitments of the Blues after they were entered into the end-of-season play-offs through their Premier League 2 campaign. The ECHO understands new dates have been discussed, including within pre-season.