Liverpool Under-18s came back from 2-0 down to beat Stoke City 4-2 thanks to two goals in stoppage-time on Saturday
Josh Sonni-Lambie (10) of Liverpool celebrates scoring Liverpool’s third goal during the U18 Premier League game at AXA Training Centre (Image: 2026 Liverpool FC)
Liverpool Under-18s scored twice in stoppage-time as they came back from 2-0 down to win a six-goal thriller against Stoke City on Saturday. In-form forwards Josh Sonni-Lambie and Joe Bradshaw were again on the scoresheet as the young Reds started off 2026 with a 4-2 victory at the Academy.
Returning to competitive action for the first time in a month, a Laurence Giani brace had seen Simon Wiles’ side trail 2-0 at the break. But Bradshaw halved the deficit shortly after the interval before three goals in the final 10 minutes clinched a memorable victory against the Potters.
Liverpool were unfortunate not to take an early lead themselves when Finn Inglethorpe beat the goalkeeper with a lovely chipped strike only to be denied by the crossbar.
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The Reds then fell behind 15 minutes later when Giani finished at the far post from Elliot Fearn’s cross.
Such a combination would double Stoke’s lead shortly before the break, with Giani again on hand to finish inside the box from a low Fearn cross.
Liverpool fought back after the interval and managed to get on the scoresheet through Bradshaw as he curled into the far corner after cutting inside from the right, having been played in by a smart first-time through-ball from Inglethorpe on the turn.
Substitute Tyler Martin then halved the deficit with less than 10 minutes left on the clock, only minutes after entering the field, as he found the bottom corner with a powerful first-time finish across goal from distance from Inglethorpe’s knock-down.
The Reds then took the lead in the first minute of stoppage-time to prompt wild celebrations as Inglethorpe claimed a hat-trick of assists, with Sonnie-Lambie volleying home from range after connecting with his fellow forward’s deflected backheel.
Bradshaw would then wrap up the victory in the 96th minute as he sealed his brace, tapping home Martin’s cross following a Liverpool counter-attack.
Bradshaw now boasts eight goals and an assist from just six U18 Premier League matches this season, while Sonni-Lambie leads the Reds’ scoring charts with nine goals and an assist from his own 12 league outings.
Liverpool U18s starting XI vs Stoke City: Bernard, Conde (Hickman, 67), Ayman, Esdaille, Clarke, Murray-Holme (Farkas, 67), Bradshaw, Upton, Inglethorpe, Sonni-Lambie, Lee Forrester (Martin, 77).
Unused subs: M. Wright, Huth.