LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Friday, August 21, 2026: Liverpool's Mor Talla Ndiaye goes in goal after his side's goalkeeper was sent off an all substitutes had been used during the Premier League 2 match between Everton FC Under-21's and Liverpool FC Under-21's, the Mini-Derby, at Goodison Park. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Friday, August 21, 2026: Liverpool's Mor Talla Ndiaye goes in goal after his side's goalkeeper was sent off an all substitutes had been used during the Premier League 2 match between Everton FC Under-21's and Liverpool FC Under-21's, the Mini-Derby, at Goodison Park. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
An incredibly feisty under-21s derby at Goodison Park resulted in a 1-1 draw between Everton and Liverpool, as Jayden Danns returned, Mor Talla Ndiaye was forced to play in goal and two players were sent off!
Everton U21s 1-1 Liverpool U21s
Premier League 2, Goodison Park
August 21, 2026
Goals: Patterson 18′; Wright 14′
Red Cards: Graham 90+1′; Davies 87′
Liverpool lined up with a slightly weakened under-21s team as the likes of Luke Chambers and James McConnell kept away from the risk of injury in a derby match.
And it was almost certainly the right call in case of any potential loan deals, as Wellity Lucky took a particularly strong hit early on as the teams wasted no time getting stuck in.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Friday, August 21, 2026: Liverpool's Wellity Lucky (R) is challenged by Everton's Melvin Matos during the Premier League 2 match between Everton FC Under-21's and Liverpool FC Under-21's, the Mini-Derby, at Goodison Park. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Friday, August 21, 2026: Liverpool's Wellity Lucky (R) is challenged by Everton's Melvin Matos during the Premier League 2 match between Everton FC Under-21's and Liverpool FC Under-21's, the Mini-Derby, at Goodison Park. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Harvey Davies started in goal behind a back four of Isaac Mabaya, Lucky, Ndiaye and Lucas Pitt.
Michael Laffey captained the team next to Ben Trueman in midfield, while Josh Sonni-Lambie and Ollie O’Connor played in wide positions to which they aren’t accustomed.
That left Will Wright and Keyrol Figueroa to form a front two – not a system we saw often from Rob Page’s side last season.
In a feisty game, Wright notched the first in the 14th minute, redirecting a low cross beyond goalkeeper George Pickford (no relation to Jordan Pickford) with his toes.
Everton responded four minutes later with a fantastic team goal that resulted in Jack Patterson converting George Finney’s fizzing cross, first time, off the inside of the post.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Friday, August 21, 2026: Liverpool's Will Wright celebrates after scoring the first goal during the Premier League 2 match between Everton FC Under-21's and Liverpool FC Under-21's, the Mini-Derby, at Goodison Park. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Friday, August 21, 2026: Liverpool's Will Wright celebrates after scoring the first goal during the Premier League 2 match between Everton FC Under-21's and Liverpool FC Under-21's, the Mini-Derby, at Goodison Park. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Several late tackles littered the first half, with referee Stephen Parkinson largely turning a blind eye to the distinctively derby day challenges.
Lucky again was on the receiving end of a bad tackle, this time from Melvin Matos, and punched the ground in pain. The referee needed to take control and eventually the game did settle down.
Half time: Everton U21s 1-1 Liverpool U21s
The second half began at the same place as the first and Ndiaye was the first to go down. Thankfully, he was back up quickly and could carry on.
Neither side were creating clear-cut chances so Danns Rob Page brought on Danns for Figueroa up front. A few minutes later, it was Sonni-Lambie’s turn to be withdrawn for the more natural wide man, Joe Bradshaw.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Friday, August 21, 2026: Liverpool's substitute Jayden Danns during the Premier League 2 match between Everton FC Under-21's and Liverpool FC Under-21's, the Mini-Derby, at Goodison Park. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Friday, August 21, 2026: Liverpool's substitute Jayden Danns during the Premier League 2 match between Everton FC Under-21's and Liverpool FC Under-21's, the Mini-Derby, at Goodison Park. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Danns very nearly scored within 10 minutes of coming on, only to see his effort rebound to O’Connor who had an ever better opportunity but dragged his side-footed shot just wide of the post.
Despite impressing in training early on in pre-season, the 20-year-old striker hasn’t been involved in any of the Reds’ friendlies as he built towards full fitness.
With 15 minutes to play, Page made a double change, replacing Trueman and Mabaya with midfielder Afolami Onanuga and midfielder Joe Upton.
As a result, O’Connor moved to right-back, where he spent much of last season, allowing Onanuga to play further forward.
Liverpool held most of the ball as the game wore on but opportunities were few and far between.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Friday, August 21, 2026: Liverpool's Jayden Danns sees his shot saved during the Premier League 2 match between Everton FC Under-21's and Liverpool FC Under-21's, the Mini-Derby, at Goodison Park. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Friday, August 21, 2026: Liverpool's Jayden Danns sees his shot saved during the Premier League 2 match between Everton FC Under-21's and Liverpool FC Under-21's, the Mini-Derby, at Goodison Park. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Everton nearly went ahead in the 84th minute, when O’Connor fouled a blue shirt on the edge of the box, and the referee whistled for a foul just before Rocco Lambert finished brilliantly into the top corner.
No advantage had been played, therefore the goal wasn’t given. Had this been a first-team match, the frustration would have been palpable.
Soon after, Everton broke again so Davies came off his line to clear. Everton attacker Justin Clarke reached the ball first, though, soliciting a foul from the goalkeeper which resulted in a red card.
With all of Liverpool’s substitutions made, Ndiaye had to don the green goalkeeper shirt and go in goal – not something the centre-half would have envisaged when he joined in January.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Friday, August 21, 2026: Liverpool's Mor Talla Ndiaye goes in goal after his side's goalkeeper was sent off an all substitutes had been used during the Premier League 2 match between Everton FC Under-21's and Liverpool FC Under-21's, the Mini-Derby, at Goodison Park. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Friday, August 21, 2026: Liverpool's Mor Talla Ndiaye goes in goal after his side's goalkeeper was sent off an all substitutes had been used during the Premier League 2 match between Everton FC Under-21's and Liverpool FC Under-21's, the Mini-Derby, at Goodison Park. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Everton‘s free-kick taker, Braiden Graham couldn’t take advantage, though, drilling his set-piece wide.
The hosts, who should have been focussing on maximising their advantage, instead got involved in a fracas that resulted in Graham being sent off and an incensed Upton being shown yellow.
Ndiaye then actually made a save too (just), to make it a memorable encounter – arguably a better derby than any we have seen at senior level in a while!
Player of the match: Wellity Lucky
Liverpool U21s: Davies; Mabaya (Upton 76′), Lucky, Ndiaye, Pitt; Sonni-Lambie (Bradshaw 67′), Trueman (Onanuga 76′), Laffey, O’Connor; Wright, Figueroa (Danns 61′)
Subs not used: Misciur, Ayman, Cisse
Next match: Leeds U21s (H) – Premier League 2 – Sun, Aug 30, 1pm (BST)