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Tyler Morton of Liverpool during the PL2 game at AXA Training Centre on April 13, 2025(Image: Nick Taylor/Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)

Liverpool's first team are closing in on the Premier League team title under Arne Slot.

And while the season is also reaching a climax for the Academy teams, the targets are somewhat different.

That was evident again on Sunday when the U21s were left with work still to do to seal a play-off berth after being held to a 1-1 draw at home to Leeds United in Premier League 2.



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And the U18s are still striving to avoid finishing bottom of the U18 Premier League North after being thrashed 6-1 at Sunderland on Saturday.

Here's the latest from around the Academy.

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McConnell on the mark

Unlike during Jurgen Klopp's time in the hotseat, there haven't been a huge number of opportunities for Academy players in Slot's first season in charge of the Liverpool first team.

But one who did grasp the initiative - and impress Slot in the process - was James McConnell, particularly with his outing in the Champions League loss at PSV Eindhoven back in January.

The scheduling of Premier League 2 games hasn't helped, with matches often taking place on the same day or, as on Sunday in Kirkby, exactly the same time as the senior side.

McConnell, though, delivered a reminder of his talents by earning Liverpool a point against Leeds with an excellent strike shortly before half-time, picking up a loose ball on the edge of the area and driving into the box beyond two players before finishing neatly into the far bottom corner.

Liverpool included Tyler Morton in their starting line-up, the midfielder making his return to action with a 62-minute outing following more than two months out after a shoulder operation.

Leeds had taken the lead on the half-hour mark with the young Reds having, not for the first time this season, been unable to deal with a deep corner which was headed home by Kris Moore at the far post.

Liverpool, with Rio Ngumoha and Trey Nyoni also starting, were the better team in the second half but couldn't find a winner.

It means the Reds dropped into the 16th and final play-off place and now face a straight shoot-out with West Bromwich Albion, who are a point behind, for the final play-off place in the final round of regular Premier League 2 fixtures on Friday night.

Barry Lewtas's side are at rock-bottom Aston Villa, while West Brom go to 23rd-placed Middlesbrough.

Shorn of so many players - particularly in defence - due to injuries and youngsters being elevated to the U21 ranks, Liverpool have had to rely on a host of U16s throughout the season which at times has made games a physical mismatch.

That was evident again on Saturday when the U18s were hammered 6-1 at Sunderland, the fifth time this season they have conceded five or more goals with their only clean sheet coming way back in November.

Liverpool were goalless at half-time at the Academy of Light before falling apart at the back following the interval.

Marcus Neill, the son of former Everton defender Lucas Neill, scored a hat-trick and had previously been on the books at Liverpool.

One of a few bright spots during the campaign has been the form of 17-year-old striker Josh Sonni-Lambie, who followed up a goal for England U18s in their 2-2 friendly draw against France in Portugal last month with his 10th Liverpool strike of the season against Sunderland.

With four games remaining, the young Reds remain next to bottom, four points ahead of Leeds who have played a match more.
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