KIRKBY, ENGLAND - Wednesday, September 9, 2026: Liverpool U19's Luca Eden during the UEFA Youth League 2026/27 League Phase MD1 match between Liverpool FC Under-19's and Atlético Madrid Under-19's at the Liverpool Academy. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
KIRKBY, ENGLAND - Wednesday, September 9, 2026: Liverpool U19's Luca Eden during the UEFA Youth League 2026/27 League Phase MD1 match between Liverpool FC Under-19's and Atlético Madrid Under-19's at the Liverpool Academy. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Luca Eden’s performance in the UEFA Youth League was praised as “outstanding” by coach Rob Page, as Liverpool’s 15-year-old started for the under-19s.
Eden is still six months away from his 16th birthday, but he is already beginning to garner attention in high places.
After clips of him playing with a remarkably similar technique to Steven Gerrard went viral, the youngster started his first match in Europe’s U19s tournament as Liverpool drew 2-2 with Atletico Madrid on Wednesday.
In doing so, he became the Reds’ youngest-ever player in the competition, breaking the record previously held by Trent Alexander-Arnold, Rio Ngumoha and most recently, Josh Abe.
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - Saturday, August 15, 2026: Liverpool's Luca Eden during the U18 Premier League match between Manchester City FC Under-18's and Liverpool FC Under-18's at the Etihad Campus. Man City won 2-1. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - Saturday, August 15, 2026: Liverpool's Luca Eden during the U18 Premier League match between Manchester City FC Under-18's and Liverpool FC Under-18's at the Etihad Campus. Man City won 2-1. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Eden played in a midfield two and put in a battling performance. He also produced good pass to set up Josh Sonni-Lambie for Liverpool’s second goal.
“To give a level of performance like that was outstanding so the future’s very bright for him,” coach Page said of Eden.
“Understandably he just ran out of steam towards the end, even though he didn’t want to come off, so that says a lot about his character.”
With 20 minutes left, the youngster came off for another talented midfielder, Haydn Murray-Holme, who has just signed his first professional contract.
Page was asked what he hopes Eden learns from experiences in these high-level youth games.
Luca Eden vs Atleti U19s pic.twitter.com/vMiZYWRM2w
— N ?? (@cnsultra) September 9, 2026
He responded: “I think we’ve all seen it. Everybody’s opinion is that it was a proper game of football and I think players like that, they adapt to it no problem.
“If you speak to some of the under-18s, that would have been one of the most physical games they’ve ever played.
“For somebody like Luca Eden, he matches it and goes some. Top, top players have the ability to do that and he rose to the occasion today.”
Mor Talla Ndiaye is “an unbelievable lad to work with”
KIRKBY, ENGLAND - Wednesday, September 9, 2026: Liverpool Mor Talla Ndiaye (C) celebrates after scoring the first goal during the UEFA Youth League 2026/27 League Phase MD1 match between Liverpool FC Under-19's and Atlético Madrid Under-19's at the Liverpool Academy. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
KIRKBY, ENGLAND - Wednesday, September 9, 2026: Liverpool Mor Talla Ndiaye (C) celebrates after scoring the first goal during the UEFA Youth League 2026/27 League Phase MD1 match between Liverpool FC Under-19's and Atlético Madrid Under-19's at the Liverpool Academy. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Scouted at the U17 World Cup, Mor Talla Ndiaye signed from Senegalese outfit Amitie FC in January and has since improved with every game.
“He’s an incredible story isn’t he, from where he’s come from to where he is today,” Page commented.
“He’s such a humble kid; he’s an unbelievable lad to work with. He comes in every morning with a big smile on his face. He’s a pleasure to work with.”
The defender made the bench three times towards the end of last season and was taken on the summer’s US pre-season tour, an experience that has brought his game on already.
KIRKBY, ENGLAND - Wednesday, September 9, 2026: Liverpool Mor Talla Ndiaye celebrates after scoring the first goal during the UEFA Youth League 2026/27 League Phase MD1 match between Liverpool FC Under-19's and Atlético Madrid Under-19's at the Liverpool Academy. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
KIRKBY, ENGLAND - Wednesday, September 9, 2026: Liverpool Mor Talla Ndiaye celebrates after scoring the first goal during the UEFA Youth League 2026/27 League Phase MD1 match between Liverpool FC Under-19's and Atlético Madrid Under-19's at the Liverpool Academy. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Ndiaye scored the Reds’ first goal against Atletico with a well-placed glancing header from Joe Bradshaw’s in-swinging corner.
Page added: “[There are] exciting times ahead of him. He’s got a lot of work to do. He’s nowhere near the finished article, so to say, but he’s on the right path.
“His attitude is spot on and he’s at a club that will definitely help him develop.”
Football – FA Cup 3rd Round Replay – Plymouth Argyle FC v Liverpool FC
PLYMOUTH, ENGLAND - Wednesday, January 18, 2017: Liverpool's Trent Alexander-Arnold and Oviemuno Ovie Ejaria inspect the pitch before the FA Cup 3rd Round Replay match against Plymouth Argyle at Home Park. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
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