Liverpool U18s Tussle to a 2-2 Draw with Man United in a Premier League Academy Spectacle

A Fierce Academy Clash

The Premier League Academy U18 match between Liverpool and Manchester United on February 8, 2025, was nothing short of thrilling. These young players showcased their talent and determination with a 2-2 draw that's been the talk of the academy leagues. The match, played under cool conditions, brought all the drama and excitement expected from a classic Liverpool-United encounter.

Starting the game with energy and ambition, United took an early lead thanks to Victor Musa, a name becoming synonymous with talent in the academy circuit. His first goal came just 15 minutes into the game. Musa leapt above Liverpool’s defense from a corner, heading the ball into the net to give United the advantage.

Game of Headers and Grit

Liverpool, showing resilience, countered quickly. The equalizer came midway through the first half, energizing the Liverpool squad and their supporters. Not to be outdone, Musa struck again, this time in the 35th minute, again utilizing his heading prowess. The assist from Munro was perfectly timed, and Musa's finish was clinical, putting United ahead 2-1 by halftime.

Despite United's dominance and continued threats during the first half, Liverpool’s tenacity shone through. In the second half, they pushed hard to offset United’s lead. This determination paid off with a late equalizer, leaving the match at a 2-2 deadlock, much to the delight of the traveling supporters.

The game was crucial for Manchester United’s U18s, who were in dire need of a morale boost following a string of unfavorable results. Prior to this fixture, they suffered consecutive defeats, including an unsettling 4-0 loss to Manchester City and an unfortunate penalty shootout exit in the U18 Premier League Cup.

Broadcast live on MUTV with an 11 am GMT kickoff, fans of both clubs tuned in, eager to see how the current crop of academy talents measured up against each other. United's lineup featured James Overy, who was making his debut under unexpected circumstances. He stepped in for regular starter Jaydan Kamason, who was absent for the match.

While the draw meant United didn't take all three points, the team's performance, bolstered by Musa's exceptional play, offers hope as they aim to regain momentum in their upcoming fixtures. The point earned at Liverpool's expense may prove valuable as they seek to climb the league standings and rectify past slip-ups.

Author: Themba Sweet

I am a news journalist with a passion for writing about daily news in Africa. With over 20 years of experience in the field, I strive to deliver accurate and insightful stories. My work aims to inform and educate the public on the continent’s current affairs and developments.

10 Comments

Sean Brison said:

February 9, 2025 AT 20:30

That Musa kid is seriously next-level. I’ve seen a lot of academy games, but that header in the 35th minute? Pure instinct. Liverpool’s defense looked lost every time a corner came in. Still, credit to them for fighting back - this is why academy football is so exciting.

Hope they keep developing him. Could be a future star.
Orlaith Ryan said:

February 10, 2025 AT 06:28

SO PROUD!! 🥹🔥 This is exactly why we watch youth football!
amrin shaikh said:

February 10, 2025 AT 21:16

Let’s be real - Musa’s two goals were only possible because Liverpool’s backline is a joke. They’ve got zero aerial awareness. This isn’t talent, it’s systemic failure. And don’t get me started on how they let a debutant like Overy just waltz into the lineup. No structure. No discipline. Just chaos. United’s academy is lightyears ahead.
Norm Rockwell said:

February 12, 2025 AT 17:27

Wait… did anyone else notice that the ball Musa headed in the 35th minute? The one from Munro’s assist? It had a weird reflection off the corner flag. I’ve seen this before - in the 2019 U18 FA Cup final, same angle, same lighting. That’s not coincidence. Someone’s tampering with the ball’s magnetic field. The Premier League Academy is a cover for a secret drone surveillance program. They’re testing tracking tech on kids. I’m not crazy - check the footage frame by frame.
Lawrence Abiamuwe said:

February 14, 2025 AT 13:12

A very commendable performance from both sides. The discipline shown by the young players under pressure is a testament to their coaching staff. The resilience displayed by Liverpool, especially after going behind twice, reflects strong mental conditioning. United’s ability to maintain composure despite recent setbacks is also noteworthy. These are the foundations of future champions. 🙌
jai utkarsh said:

February 16, 2025 AT 00:23

Let me break this down for the plebs who think this was just "a good academy game." This wasn’t football - it was a metaphysical clash of ideologies. United’s approach: structured, hierarchical, authoritarian - Musa as the apex predator, fed by Munro’s geometric precision. Liverpool? Chaotic, emotional, reactive - a symphony of desperation. The 2-2 draw? A Hegelian synthesis. The real winner? The spectator who realizes that youth football is the last pure form of human aspiration in a world of algorithmic entertainment. We are witnessing the birth of a new mythos. And you? You just watched a game.
Chandan Gond said:

February 16, 2025 AT 04:43

Big props to the lads for showing heart! Liverpool’s second goal was pure grit - that kind of never-give-up attitude wins titles. And Musa? Kid’s got a nose for goal, but he’s still learning. The next step? Better off-the-ball movement. He’s too predictable in the box. Keep working, lads. You’re on the right path. 👊
John Bartow said:

February 16, 2025 AT 16:10

You know, this match reminded me of something I saw in Lagos in 2016 - a street game between kids from Ajegunle and Surulere. No pitch, no refs, just bare feet on cracked concrete. But the passion? The same. The same headers, the same last-minute equalizers, the same chants echoing off alley walls. Football isn’t about stadiums or broadcasts. It’s about kids who don’t have much, but still give everything. Musa? He’s not just a player - he’s the spirit of every kid who ever kicked a ball with a broken lace and a full heart. This game? It wasn’t just U18s. It was humanity.
Mark L said:

February 17, 2025 AT 01:20

omg i just watched the highlights again and that last goal??!! i cried a little 😭💙 so proud of lpool!! u18s are the future!!!
Dan Ripma said:

February 18, 2025 AT 07:27

The 2-2 draw is not a result - it is a reflection. A mirror held up to the absurdity of institutionalized competition. Two clubs, built on centuries of legacy, reduce their most promising children to pawns in a spectacle of branding and expectation. Musa’s headers? Brilliant, yes. But they are also symptoms - of a system that demands perfection before adolescence has even ended. The real tragedy isn’t the draw. It’s that no one is asking: What is the cost of this glory? What becomes of the boy who scores two headers but never learns to breathe without pressure? We cheer the goals. We ignore the ghosts.