Below is a summary of the full article. Click here for the full version or go back to LFC Live.net

Rio Ngumoha in action for Liverpool under-21s(Image: Nick Taylor/Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)

All eyes will be on Anfield on Sunday afternoon to see if Liverpool can wrap up the Premier League title with victory over Tottenham Hotspur.

But it will be a big weekend for the Academy also.

The under-21 side are in Premier League 2 play-off action when they travel to Manchester City, who finished top of the regular standings, in the first round of the knockout stage.

And the U18s are still striving to avoid finishing bottom of the U18 Premier League North as they prepare to wave goodbye to a long-time fixture on the coaching staff.

Here's the latest from around the Academy.

READ MORE:Liverpool frustration clear for four players as Arne Slot touchline decision shows squad valueREAD MORE:Liverpool stance on Darwin Nunez explained amid new contract clause claims

City challenge awaits

The Joie Stadium will be the venue as Liverpool look to extend their Premier League 2 campaign by beating City on Friday (kick-off 7pm).

Article continues below

The Reds defeated the Manchester side 3-1 at Kirkby in the season opener back in August, but have since endured a frustrating campaign and needed a 2-2 draw at Aston Villa last Friday, along with West Bromwich Albion losing 2-1 at Middlesbrough, to secure a 16th-placed finish and the final play-off berth.

By contrast, City dropped points in only a further four games to finish two points clear at the summit from Fulham.

The play-offs are played as a straight seeded knockout - extra time and a penalty shoot-out will be used if required to settle ties - with the team who finished highest up the table playing at home.

Rio Ngumoha, the 16-year-old winger signed from Chelsea last summer who has already featured for the Liverpool first team, scored his first goals at Premier League 2 level to earn the young Reds a point at Villa.

"He played really well and he could have had a hat-trick," said U21s coach Barry Lewtas.

"He is finding himself in recent weeks and this is what it is, we need to develop players and the evolution of him certainly over the last six or so weeks in terms of the positions he is now getting himself into, you saw him get his two goals.

"He has been working really hard in training on that and it’s nice that with the play-offs to come we have someone who can score some goals for us."

Liverpool netted only 29 times in 20 games during the regular Premier League 2 season, the lowest of any play-off qualifier with City having bagged more than double that amount.

And Lewtas adds: "As a group we know we’ve left points on the table with missing chances and the table doesn’t lie, but anyone who has watched us over the season, the reality is we know where we need to improve and get better, and I think we are doing that."

Bridge-Wilkinson to bow out

Liverpool U18s are next in action on Wednesday afternoon at Middlesbrough as they look to avoid finishing bottom of the U18 Premier League North.

Last week's 5-0 thumping at home to leaders Manchester City was the latest in a long line of hugely disappointing results for the age group, who have been without a host of qualifying players either through injury or being required by the U21s.

The Reds have three games remaining and currently stand 12th in the 13-team league, four points ahead of Leeds United having won only four of 21 matches in the competition this term.

And they will be the final games in charge for coach Marc Bridge-Wilkinson after it was announced last Friday the 46-year-old was leaving the club at the end of the campaign.

Liverpool had wanted Bridge-Wilkinson to stay but, after 10 years on the Academy coaching staff having worked with the U14s and the U15s/16s before five years at U18 level, the former Port Vale midfielder has decided it is time to move on.

Loan watch

It was a tough Easter for many of the players out on loan from Liverpool's Academy.

Gordon hasn't played a minute since mid-March.

Rhys Williams suffered a heartbreaking afternoon as injury meant he couldn't prevent Morecambe losing 3-1 at home to Salford City, a result that confirms their relegation from the Football League.

James Norris, meanwhile, started for Shelbourne in their 2-2 League of Ireland Premier Division draws at Drogheda United and at home to Galway United.


For more news relating to Manchester City, visit our sister site City Latest Live.