Arne Slot has unearthed some exciting new players among the academy players and goalscorers for Liverpool under-21s and the under-18s
03:04, 20 Aug 2025
Jayden Danns of Liverpool
Jayden Danns is one of the academy players making quite the impression(Image: Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
The weekend saw mixed results for the main Liverpool Academy teams under their new head coaches.
The under-18s stormed to a 5-1 victory at Stoke City on Saturday in their first U18 Premier League North match under Simon Wiles, while the U21s, now led by former Wales manager Rob Page, suffered a 4-2 defeat at Leicester City on Monday night in their opening Premier League 2 game of the season.
Despite the loss, there were some silver linings for Page's team, notably another goal from Jayden Danns. The 19 year old is gradually regaining his match fitness after being sidelined for most of the year with a stress fracture in his back.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - MARCH 08: (THE SUN OUT, THE SUN ON SUNDAY OUT) Joe Bradshaw of Liverpool in action during the U18 PL game at AXA Training Centre on March 08, 2025 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Nick Taylor/Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
Joe Bradshaw made quite the impression over the weekend(Image: Nick Taylor/Liverpool FC, Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
Danns, who played for an hour, sparked hope of a Liverpool comeback at Leicester when he scored four minutes into the second half, reducing the home side's 2-0 lead established through goals from Michael Golding and Nathaniel Opoku. Danns' goal was a top corner finish, assisted by Michael Laffey.
However, the glimmer of hope was short-lived as Golding and Opoku both found the net again in quick succession. Liverpool, with Calvin Ramsay starting as right-back, managed to pull one back late in the game through Laffey, reports the Liverpool Echo.
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Meanwhile, new U18s manager Wiles had a more fortunate start as 17-year-old Joe Bradshaw led the young Reds to a resounding win at Stoke.
Bradshaw, who was the top scorer for the U18s last season and signed his first professional contract this summer, assisted DJ Esdaille in scoring the opening goal before he himself netted a fantastic free-kick to extend Liverpool's lead.
LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 10: Arne Slot, Manager of Liverpool, acknowledges the fans after the teams defeat in the 2025 FA Community Shield match between Crystal Palace and Liverpool at Wembley Stadium on August 10, 2025 in London, England. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
Slot is said to be excited by the young players coming through(Image: Julian Finney, Getty Images)
Josh Sonni-Lambie scored an extraordinary goal from the halfway line after Stoke's goalkeeper Lucas Knight was caught out of position. This was followed by substitute Finn Inglethorpe scoring with his first touch.
Stoke managed to pull one back through a header from Tommy McNally during a corner kick. However, home defender Sanchez Phillips inadvertently scored an own goal, rounding off the match's scoring.
Liverpool U21s are set to face Burnley at Kirkby on Monday (2pm), while the U18s will travel to play against the Clarets on Saturday, August 30 (11am).
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LIVERPOOL U21s: Pecsi; Ramsay, Lucky, Nallo (Pinnington 46), Miles; Davidson (Wright 60), Pilling; Morrison (Ahmed 78), Laffey, Kone-Doherty; Danns (Figueroa 60). Sub: Hall. BOOKING: Davidson.
LIVERPOOL U18s: Misciu;, Esdaille, Ayman, Cisse, Clarke, Upton, Bradshaw, Hickman (Murray-Holme 83), Sonni-Lambie (Lonmeni 76), Yeguo, Forrester (Inglethorpe 76). Subs: Bernard, Owen. BOOKING: Cisse, Yeguo.
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