Liverpool Academy Weekly Round-Up: U23s and U18s suffer another frustrating week

Liverpool’s U23s and U18s suffered another frustrating week, with two defeats on the pitch as well as a key player moving to a Football League side.

A youthful Liverpool U23s side will see their Premier League Cup qualifications go down to the final group stage game after suffering a 1-0 defeat to Bristol City on Tuesday evening.

Bristol-born and City supporter Herbie Kane captained the Reds, but Opi Edwards’ free-kick was enough to give the hosts all three points, pushing the Reds down to second in Group G.

READ MORE: Why none of the remaining sides in the Champions League will want to face Liverpool

Bristol City have subsequently qualified for the last 16 of the competition, but Liverpool’s hopes of joining them in the knockout stages will now depend on if they can beat Stoke in the decider.

NUNEATON, ENGLAND – Saturday, July 29, 2017: Liverpool’s Herbie Kane during a pre-season friendly between Liverpool and Coventry City at the Liberty Way Stadium. (Pic by Paul Greenwood/Propaganda)

Liverpool U23s: Kelleher, Masterson, Lewis, Clayton, Gallacher, Dixon-Bonner (Tagseth, 89), Camacho, Kane, Gomes (Millar, 78), Jones, Dhanda.

Liverpool U18s continued their poor run of form as they suffered their fourth defeat in a row in all competitions with a 3-1 loss to Merseyside rivals Everton in the mini-derby on Saturday afternoon.

Elliot Richards, Tom Scully and Manasse Mampala raced the Blues into a three-goal lead and were in a dominant position before Glen McAuley pulled back a late consolation in what was an eventful first half.

Even though Gerrard’s side continued to create chances, they could not find a way back into the game and drop to third in the table after being leapfrogged by their bitter rivals.

Liverpool U18s: Grabara, N. Williams, Lewis, R. Williams, Boyes, Dixon-Bonner (Larouci, 76), Millar, Tagseth (Brookwell, 46), McAuley, Jones, Camacho (Clarkson, 61).

Despite the January transfer window slamming shut a few weeks ago, there is still transfer activity happening at Kirkby, with Okera Simmond sealing a move to Blackburn Rovers.

READ MORE: Nathaniel Clyne returns to a very different Liverpool 

Simmonds, 18, has been an important player for the U18s in recent seasons, but has been plighted with injury troubles. He will now link up with Blackburn’s U23s after impressing on trial

After being drawn against arch-rivals Manchester United, Steven Gerrard’s Liverpool U19s have found out the details regarding their UEFA Youth League last 16 tie.

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – Saturday, December 9, 2017: Liverpool’s Under-18 manager Steven Gerrard in the snow during an Under-18 FA Premier League match between Manchester United and Liverpool FC at the Cliff Training Ground. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

It will be played at Tranmere’s Prenton Park on Wednesday 21 February, with a 2:45pm kick-off with the game also being broadcasted live on BT Sport.

Liverpool vs Manchester United has always been a huge game, and this is no different, with Gerrard coming up against former United midfielder Nicky Butt in the dugout, and Gerrard is looking forward to it.

He told liverpoolfc.com: “It makes it a little juicier than it’s United. It’s a great game for us and nice to have home advantage.”

“It’s a blow not having Rhian Brewster, who would help us immensely, but there should be confidence and belief within the group that they can stay in the competition.”

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Source: anfieldhq.com