Liverpool suffers Man Utd blow as 15-year-old wonderkid scores twice

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Liverpool FC NewsFeaturesLiverpool FCLiverpool U18s were beaten 4-1 by Manchester United in the U18 Premier League North clash at Carrington on Wednesday afternoon, with Jay McEvoy and JJ Gabriel scoring twiceJoe Bradshaw of Liverpool U18s.(Image: Nick Taylor/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)Liverpool suffered an early blow in the first leg of this week's double-header against Manchester United, as the Reds' U18s fell to defeat at Carrington.With the senior sides due to face off at Old Trafford on Sunday afternoon, Wednesday's U18 Premier League North encounter saw Manchester United run out comfortable 4-1 winners with two young starlets — Jay McEvoy, 17, and JJ Gabriel, 15 — starring for the hosts in an exciting and goal-filled encounter.Joe Bradshaw netted Liverpool's consolation, with the visitors squandering several golden opportunities before Manchester United put the result beyond doubt late on with two further strikes.READ MORE: Mohamed Salah injury update issued as Liverpool confirms 'minor' problemREAD MORE: Jamie Carragher offers Man Utd vs Liverpool score prediction - 'Not convinced by them'The defeat leaves Simon Wiles' side languishing in mid-table with just two fixtures remaining. The Reds now boast the poorest defensive record in the division, though only leaders Manchester City have managed to outscore them.United struck twice in the opening half through McEvoy, yet Liverpool spurned two clear-cut chances just before the break via La'more Lee Forrester and AJ Yeguo.The visitors eventually halved the deficit on 63 minutes when United failed to deal with substitute Haydn Murray-Holme's near-post corner, allowing Bradshaw to bundle the ball home.Liverpool under-18s head coach Simon Wiles(Image: Nick Taylor/Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)United, however, wrapped up victory courtesy of a brace from highly-regarded forward JJ Gabriel.The teenager coolly converted a penalty on 82 minutes after Murray-Holme had brought down Amir Ibragimov, before demonstrating fine composure and a tidy finish three minutes from time after Liverpool surrendered possession in midfield.Liverpool's next game in the U18 Premier League North is on Saturday, when they host Middlesbrough in their final home match.They will also play Derby County away from home before the campaign concludes.Get LFC's 2025/26 season home and away kitsThis article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it.

Learn moreFrom $100LFC.comSee the dealLiverpool's home and away strips for the 2025/26 season are the first in their new partnership with adidas.Fans can order jerseys in the US at Fanatics.com or via the LFC Online Store in both the US and across the world.Liverpool boss Wiles took over from Marc Bridge-Wilkinson last summer. His most recent position before being recruited by the Reds was at Manchester United, where he was brought in as lead U14s coach with an added responsibility of U13s development."I think one thing for sure that we have got here is that opportunity and the pathway for young players to go and progress," Wiles told Liverpool.com in his first interview after joining the Reds."That's one of the reasons why I wanted to be here.

I wanted it to be part of the next generation of players that are coming through."Choose Liverpool.com as a 'Preferred Source' on Google News for quick access to the news you value.Liverpool FCAcademyManchester United FC