Josh Abe started and La’more Lee Forrester scored for a strong Liverpool U18s side, as the Reds lost 2-1 to a late goal away at Everton U18s.

Everton U18s 2-1 Liverpool U18s

U18 Premier League, Finch Farm
February 7, 2026

Goals: Cisse 29′ (OG), Akarakiri 87′; Lee Forrester 45′

Liverpool U18s ended a disappointing week by conceding a late goal at Finch Farm to lose against Everton, just four days after they lost to MSK Zilina in the UEFA Youth League by the same scoreline.

Twelve of the players who travelled to Slovakia for their cup exit were involved on Saturday, as coach Simon Wiles fielded a strong side for the U18 Premier League mini-derby.

Kornel Misciur started in goal behind a back four of Ellis Hickman, Lucas Clarke, Prince Cisse and left-back Cam Williams, who was returning from injury having not played since being awarded a scholarship last summer.

In midfield, Haydn Murray-Holme and Ollie O’Connor played with an attacking quartet ahead of them of Erik Farkas, Josh Abe, Lee Forrester and Josh Sonni-Lambie.

The early stages at Finch Farm saw both teams in the mood for a battle, and Clarke was forced into a couple of prompt challenges to keep the opposition at bay.

Misciur, who spent last season as the under-21s’ goalkeeper before the arrival of Armin Pecsi, pulled off two good stops, too, to keep the score at 0-0.

That was until Shea Pita crossed from the left, leading to Cisse scoring an unfortunate own goal as he tried to stretch and clear the incoming low ball.

Fifteen minutes later, the impressive Lee Forrester netted at the right end to equalise, dinking the ball past the goalkeeper after Hickman and Farkas had combined to put him through on the counter-attack.

Half time: Everton U18s 1-1 Liverpool U18s

With Alvin Ayman replacing Williams at left-back after the break, the game continued to be played in a competitive fashion, both sides creating chances.

Sonni-Lambie had a shot saved having after a nice one-two with Abe and O’Connor also had a good strike stopped. Cisse nearly made amends for his own goal, too, but he headed just over from a corner-kick.

It was Everton, though, who prevailed as winners, thanks to a deflected effort from midfielder Demi Akarakiri when Liverpool failed to clear their lines from a corner.

The result ended a four-match winning streak in the league and took Everton three points clear of the Reds. Up next for Wiles’ side is a home game against Leeds on Valentine’s Day.

Liverpool U18s: Misciur; Hickman, Cisse, Clarke, Williams (Ayman 46′); Murray-Holme (Upton 54′), O’Connor; Abe, Farkas, Lee Forrester; Sonni-Lambie

Subs not used: M. Wright, Owen, Conde

Next Match: Leeds U18s (H) – U18 Premier League – Saturday, February 14, 11am (GMT)

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A concept for Liverpool’s third kit next season has been ‘leaked’ by a reliable source, giving us a strong idea of how all three of the 2026/27 strips will look.

Liverpool’s third kit this season is a work of art and we will hopefully get to see more of it in the second half of the campaign, with the strip no doubt getting an outing at least once beyond the Stadium of Light next week.

While there are still over three months of football to be played this campaign, there is already excitement brewing about what Adidas have in store for us next season.

The third strip is the latest to have been ‘leaked’ by reliable kit source @FumlerRawk . They have now shared a concept, made by Rode Kits, for how they believe the third kit will look.

The shirt features a black and maroon pattern said to resemble the Kop’s waving flags in an abstract manner, while the badges are silver in order to stand out against the dark background.

In addition, the shorts are purported to be black with the same silver Adidas stripes, as are the socks which should retain three hoops near the top.

What we know about Liverpool’s 2026/27 home and away kits

Previous leaks have led to us having good idea of what to expect from next year’s home and away shirts.

Liverpool’s new home shirt for the 2026/27 season is likely to be another favourite, with Footy Headlines revealing it will be similar to the iconic Candy strip of 1989-91.

Meanwhile, the 2026/27 away kit is reported to be white with light grey and red detailing, which could also be similar to the away shirt worn in 1989/90 and 1990/91.

The white away strip should have the classic Adidas trefoil logo, too, a feature on this season’s popular third kit.

Next season’s Liverpool home kit is expected to be first worn on the last day of the Premier League, on May 24 against Brentford at Anfield.

It wasn’t possible to preview this season’s kit on the final day of last season, because Liverpool were still contracted to Nike at the time. Also, it felt only right to wear last year’s shirt to lift the Premier League title!

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Hugo Ekitike has revealed he chose Liverpool over Newcastle in the summer because he could not say no to the champions.

Newcastle made a move to sign the French striker from Eintracht Frankfurt as they tried to line up a replacement for Alexander Isak before agreeing to sell the Swede to Liverpool, but instead both forwards ended up at Anfield.

Some questioned how much playing time Ekitike could expect in Liverpool’s overhauled frontline but the 23-year-old was the quickest of their summer signings to make an impact, and his brace in last week’s 4-1 win over the Magpies took him to 15 goals in a red shirt.

In an interview with Sky Sports, Ekitike said it had been an easy decision to pick Liverpool.

“First of all because they are champions last season,” he said. “You can join the best team in England. How can you say no?

“And obviously the players, the style of play. I saw myself playing in this team, I was thinking it would look really good. For me that was the best choice. Really easy (decision).”

Florian Wirtz laid on the first of Ekitike’s two goals last week, and the two summer signings are developing a flourishing partnership. They have now combined for six goals in all competitions this season – more than any other combination of players in the top flight.

“I think they complement each other really well,” team-mate Alexis Mac Allister said on the Liverpool website. “They are both big talents and I think everyone can see their quality.

“We can notice that they love to play one-twos and these kind of things, which is really good because they can generate goals and assists in just a moment.

“So, I’m really pleased for them. I think they are showing how good they are. But as I said, I think as a team we still need to improve and that’s what we want.”

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But while that partnership is flourishing now, Liverpool remain off the pace in the Premier League as they struggle to defend their crown. The scale of the summer overhaul contributed to a slow start as several players needed time to adapt.

There have been signs of improvement, but they will get a significant test on Sunday when second-placed Manchester City visit Anfield. Over the last few years, fixtures between the two were often pivotal in title races between the pair, but this time it is only City who can realistically catch Arsenal.

“They are in a good moment,” Mac Allister said of City. “They’re a really good team and they showed it against us at the Etihad (a 3-0 City win in November). I think we are a better team (than they were then) and we improved quite a lot from that game, but now we need to show it.

“We have our fans with us, which is going to make things easier. We are really looking forward to this game and we want to win and show the fans what we can do.”

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Virgil van Dijk has spoken out in defence of Arne Slot amid ongoing scrutiny, while a fee has finally been determined for Rio Ngumoha‘s transfer from Chelsea.

Virgil van Dijk makes Arne Slot stance clear

Slot has overseen only six wins in the last 19 Premier League games, with pressure and question marks remaining over his position, especially with Xabi Alonso’s recent availability.

In an interview with Gary Neville on Sky Sports, however, Van Dijk stressed that he knows Liverpool to be a club that trusts the process, and that Slot “deserves” the chance to turn it around.

“We are in a process of things and I feel like it just takes time,” Van Dijk started. “I don’t think Liverpool, from what I know Liverpool as, is a club of making rash decisions and trusting the process.

“But I know how the world works and the pressure that managers are under and [how they] are held accountable and responsible for the results that we are getting.

“I still feel like it’s a process and he deserves, in my eyes, that respect and chance to make sure this process ends in a positive way. We just have to keep going.”

The captain was eager to differentiate criticism and disrespect, acknowledging that the former is “well deserved because of the way we have been playing at times.”

You suspect the noise will only quieten if a successful turnaround is overseen by Slot, but there is no denying the club finds itself at a key juncture at the end of the season.

Liverpool FC News: Rio Ngumoha fee decided, academy plans & Premier League squad submitted

• A tribunal has decided Liverpool will pay up to £6.8 million to Chelsea for Rio Ngumoha, which includes a 20 percent sell-on clause – you’d say it’s a decent deal for both clubs

• Plans for the £20 redevelopment of the club’s academy have been unveiled – we have all the images and information for you here – and it includes an impressive new dome and 500-seat stand

• Liverpool added goalkeeper Harvey Davies and left-back Owen Beck to their Premier League squad for the second half of the season, with Fabian Mrozek removed ahead of a loan-to-buy move

• As for the Champions League squad for the knockout stages, that appears unchanged after no new January additions – Calvin Ramsay could not be added as another non-homegrown player would have been forced to drop out

• Slot confirmed Liverpool did try to strengthen their defence, with interest in a loan deal for defender Lutsharel Geertruida, but he simply “wasn’t available”. We can only hope for no more injuries…

Who should start at right-back vs. Man City?

Dominik Szoboszlai is Arne Slot‘s favourite option in the absence of his senior right-backs, but should another player be ranked No. 1? See our rankings for City’s visit in the piece below!

Football News: Ox moves closer to Celtic transfer & James Milner to equal Premier League record

• Still just 32, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain has reached a verbal agreement with Celtic and is due to sign a six-month deal, with his medical scheduled on Saturday. Hopefully he gets consistent minutes! (The Athletic)

• Another ex-Red, James Milner, could equal the Premier League appearance record if he features for Brighton this weekend; he would match former teammate Gareth Barry’s 653 games. He’s close to having played more seasons than I’ve been alive!

• Former Aston Villa striker Jhon Duran is expected to join his sixth club at just 22 after terminating his loan at Fenerbahce ahead of joining Zenit St Petersburg. He must live out of a suitcase (Mail)

• Cristiano Ronaldo‘s standoff with the PIF continues as he has been left out of Al Nassr’s match on Friday. He feels the level of ambition is not equal among their clubs, not really surprising that, is it?

Liverpool FC: On this day

Luis Diaz made his Liverpool debut on this day in 2022 as the Reds beat Cardiff 3-1 at Anfield.

Having beaten Tottenham to his signature and signed Diaz for an initial £37.5 million from Porto, Diaz made his first Reds appearance in an FA Cup fourth-round tie against Cardiff.

In a game also marked by Harvey Elliott‘s goal for Liverpool, Jurgen Klopp‘s side won 3-1 with the other goals coming from Diogo Jota and Takumi Minamino.

Liverpool went on to win the competition for the first time in 16 years, Diaz growing into the season and starting both the semi-final and final against Man City and Chelsea, respectively.

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Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has no doubt Erling Haaland is the best striker in the world.

The Norway international is going through an unusually quiet spell in front of goal, scoring just two in his last 12 appearances.

That contrasts sharply with his form earlier in the campaign, which saw him net 25 times in his previous 23 games.

“Erling is the best striker in the world,” Guardiola said pointedly when asked about his star forward at a press conference to preview Sunday’s Premier League trip to Liverpool.

Erling Haaland vs. Hugo Ekitike Form Guide: Last 10 Starts
Player Goals Assists Avg. FotMob Rating Erling Haaland (Man City) 2 1 7.05 Hugo Ekitike (Liverpool) 9 2 7.87 Analysis: While Haaland has hit a remarkable drop in form in recent months, Ekitike has found real consistency up front for Liverpool – his higher FotMob average rating tells the true story of his imporance.

Haaland started on the bench in the second leg of City’s Carabao Cup semi-final against Newcastle on Wednesday.

The feeling was Guardiola was resting the 25-year-old ahead of the crucial Anfield encounter but Omar Marmoush took his chance to shine in his place, scoring twice.

Asked if Haaland would come back into the side, Guardiola said: “I don’t know, we’ll decide tomorrow, but I always say Erling is the best.”

New signing Marc Guehi is set to return to the City side having been ineligible to feature in midweek.

The England centre-back, who moved to the Etihad Stadium from Crystal Palace for £20 million last month, had been close to joining Liverpool last summer before a move collapsed on deadline day.

Guardiola is pleased City ultimately benefited from that failed transfer.

He said: “You can smell it – he’ll be a great, great signing for City for the next five, six, seven, eight years. Top.

“It’s the skills, the mentality, the professionalism, the way he leads. Many of the things you need to be a good, good central defender.”

Guardiola voiced his frustration in midweek that Guehi cannot play in the Carabao Cup final but accepts the rule is not going to be changed.

He said: “I know the rules are the rules – and I understand. I don’t understand why Antoine [Semenyo] can play but Marc can’t. But there’s a rule and it’s OK. We can agree to disagree.”

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Second-placed City have dropped points in five of their last six Premier League games and can afford few further slip-ups if they are to keep the pressure on leaders Arsenal.

They face a Liverpool side this weekend who have failed to match the standards they set in winning title last season, but Guardiola says they are still a force to be reckoned with.

He said: “They remain an exceptional team with a top-class manager, no doubt. The moments are the moments, the seasons are the seasons.

“They’ve rebuilt the squad, not for one season, but for many years, so they always remain a good team.”

Friday marked the third anniversary of the day City were hit with more than 100 charges of breaches of the Premier League‘s financial regulations. The matter remains unresolved.

Guardiola said: “It’s not in my hands. We await the resolution.”

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