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Liverpool academy - Marc Bridge-Wilkinson to depart

Liverpool are champions but there's one Premier League crown that won't be heading to the club this season.

The under-21 side saw their hopes dashed with agonising defeat in the Premier League 2 play-offs last Friday at Manchester City.

A 2-1 reverse on their travels in the first knockout round brought a disappointing conclusion to a frustrating campaign for Barry Lewtas's side.

The U18s, though, continued their end-of-season improvement with a thrilling draw at Stoke City as they prepare to say goodbye to their long-serving coach.

Here's the latest from around the Academy.

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Late blow at City

There's no escaping the fact it has been a difficult second half of the season for Liverpool in Premier League 2.

And after substitute Keyrol Figueroa had shot wide for Liverpool, Mubama was on hand to score again with 13 minutes remaining after reacting quickest to a parry from visiting goalkeeper Harvey Davies.

By missing out on the top 12, the young Reds will not take part in next season's Premier League International Cup.

However, that the first team have qualified for the Champions League next season means an U19 side will once again be in the UEFA Youth League.

Everton farewell

The U18s will conclude their season - and the tenure of departing coach Marc Bridge-Wilkinson after 10 years at the Academy - with the derby against Everton at Kirkby on Saturday (kick-off 11am).

Liverpool have spent the last few months attempting to ensure they avoid the wooden spoon in U18 Premier League North and, after a 7-2 win at Middlesbrough last week, took another step with a 3-3 draw at Stoke City on Saturday.

Afolami Onanuga drew the Reds level shortly before the break only for Bridge-Wilkinson's side to find themselves 3-1 down with less than an hour gone.

Saturday's opponents Everton are third and beat Liverpool 3-2 at home in dramatic fashion in late November.

Injury setbacks

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The efforts of the Academy teams haven't been helped by a succession of injury absences that have forced Liverpool into accelerating the progress of some players in higher age groups.

And the Reds were without Kieran Morrison for the final weeks of the season after a breakthrough campaign with the U21s.
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