MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - Saturday, August 15, 2026: Liverpool's captain Finn Inglethorpe during the U18 Premier League match between Manchester City FC Under-18's and Liverpool FC Under-18's at the Etihad Campus. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - Saturday, August 15, 2026: Liverpool's captain Finn Inglethorpe during the U18 Premier League match between Manchester City FC Under-18's and Liverpool FC Under-18's at the Etihad Campus. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Liverpool twice came from behind to draw 2-2 against Middlesbrough under-18s, as Finn Inglethorpe led from the front by scoring both goals.
U18 Premier League, Kirkby Academy
August 22, 2026
Goals: Inglethorpe 49′ 72′; Tohill 18′ 59′
After being narrowly beaten 2-1 by Man City in last weekend’s season-opener, Simon Wiles’ Liverpool side started slowly in Kirkby, as Middlesbrough had the better of the first half.
The talented Luca Eden wasn’t available due to international duty for England, while Josh Abe and La’more Lee Forrester were absent through injury.
Middlesbrough deservedly went ahead
Matty Wright played in goal behind a back four of first-year scholar Isaiah Garin, Lenix Conde, Lucas Clarke and Harvey Owen.
Ahead of them was another first-year scholar in Charlie Phillips, who played alongside creative midfielder Haydn Murray-Holme.
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - Saturday, August 15, 2026: Liverpool's Hadyn Murray-Holme during the U18 Premier League match between Manchester City FC Under-18's and Liverpool FC Under-18's at the Etihad Campus. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - Saturday, August 15, 2026: Liverpool's Hadyn Murray-Holme during the U18 Premier League match between Manchester City FC Under-18's and Liverpool FC Under-18's at the Etihad Campus. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
That left Charlie Huth and AJ Yeguo to play on the right and left flanks, respectively, while Ellis Hickman started behind striker Finn Inglethorpe.
Eighteen minutes in, Middlesbrough took the lead thanks to the visitors’ new signing from Northern Irish side Cliftonville, Eamonn Tohill, who got in behind and slipped the ball past Wright.
Liverpool were giving the ball away too easily and suffered another blow when Phillips’ afternoon ended through injury after 36 minutes – he was replaced by fellow Wirralian Zak Coxon.
Zak Coxon makes an impact off the bench
And Coxon made an immediate impact, clearing Finlay Turner’s shot off the line, following a corner that was knocked toward the midfielder 14 yards out.
Half time: Liverpool U18s 0-1 Middlesbrough U18s
The second half began in a brighter manner, with Liverpool drawing level four minutes after the break thanks to a composed finish from captain Inglethorpe.
Lovely composure ?
Finn Inglethorpe on target for #LFCU18s ?? pic.twitter.com/ZuAsP31I3y
— The LFC Academy (@LFCAcademyX) August 22, 2026
The goal came immediately following Hickman’s press that allowed Coxon to win the ball and play Inglethorpe in, for the striker to slot calmly past former Liverpool teammate DJ Bernard.
Despite creating more of their own chances, the hosts were still riding their luck; Owen had a brilliant reactionary save from his goalkeeper to thank for not scoring an own goal.
However, Middlesbrough did then go back in front just before the hour mark, as Tohill scored a rebound from close range, at the end of an attack that came about due to Liverpool getting caught in transition.
Finn Inglethorpe leads by example
The Reds then responded again, with Yeguo instigating the goal.
Finn Inglethorpe at the double for #LFCU18s ? pic.twitter.com/Pn4InGFquB
— The LFC Academy (@LFCAcademyX) August 22, 2026
The tricky left-winger beat his man with two stepovers before clipping into the box, where the ‘Boro player headed straight to Inglethorpe who got over the ball and smashed it into the corner.
Not long after, Garin finally went off after going down multiple times with injuries and in his place came Edinburgh-born midfielder Daniel Majekodunmi.
The substitute played on the right wing, meaning Huth moved to right-back.
Liverpool’s biggest threat, Yeguo, then had to go off injured after what looked like a rather innocuous heel clip inside the box, for which a penalty was not awarded.
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - Saturday, August 15, 2026: Liverpool's Aiden Yeguo during the U18 Premier League match between Manchester City FC Under-18's and Liverpool FC Under-18's at the Etihad Campus. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - Saturday, August 15, 2026: Liverpool's Aiden Yeguo during the U18 Premier League match between Manchester City FC Under-18's and Liverpool FC Under-18's at the Etihad Campus. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Harry Moran subsequently came on at right-back, so Huth went back to the wing and Majekodunmi switched to the left flank.
Both teams pushed for a winner but decision-making in the final third let the teams down.
Liverpool U18s scored 70 and conceded 70 goals last season. It could be a similar story this time around.
Liverpool U18s: M. Wright, Garin (Majekodunmi 73′), Conde, Clarke, Owen; Murray-Holme, Phillips (Coxon 36′); Huth, Hickman, Yeguo (Moran 83′); Inglethorpe
Subs not used: Hilditch, Garan, Ekiugbo
Next Match: Brighton U21s (H) – U18 Premier League – Tuesday, August 15, 11am (BST)
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