As the 2024-25 season for Liverpool U18s slowly unfolds, head coach Marc Bridge-Wilkinson remains optimistic despite a challenging start. In their latest outing, the young Reds fought back twice to earn a 2-2 draw against Leeds United, a match that highlighted their resilience and desire to kick-start their season. Now, with their next fixture against Newcastle United on the horizon, Bridge-Wilkinson hopes that their recent performance will be a turning point.
A Promising Performance at Leeds
The draw at Leeds, while not the victory Liverpool craved, provided several key positives for Bridge-Wilkinson’s side. Coming from behind twice to secure a point showcased the grit and determination of his players—two traits that the manager values highly. Reflecting on the game, Bridge-Wilkinson acknowledged the team’s character while admitting there are areas to improve.
“It was a decent performance,” he said, summing up the team’s display. “Obviously it was disappointing to be a goal down twice with a couple of moments we could have stopped. But the lads showed great character and stuck at it.”
The ability to bounce back from difficult situations is a crucial part of a young player’s development. Bridge-Wilkinson’s team demonstrated that, even when the odds were stacked against them, they could remain mentally strong and continue to push for a positive result. Despite the draw, the manager was pleased with the way his players handled the pressure and executed their game plan in crucial moments.
One of those moments came in the form of Josh Sonni-Lambie’s spectacular equalizer. The young forward’s turn and finish under pressure was a testament to his technical ability and composure in the box.
“It was a lovely finish,” Bridge-Wilkinson said. “A really nice turn in the box under a lot of pressure and a delicate and very precise finish.”
Sonni-Lambie’s goal was more than just a highlight reel moment—it was a reminder of his potential. For a coach like Bridge-Wilkinson, nurturing that kind of talent and ensuring players like Sonni-Lambie reach their full potential is a primary focus. However, the manager also emphasized the need for the forward to develop his knack for scoring more straightforward goals.
“What we need Josh to do is score the more simple goals inside the box and closer to goal,” he added. “But we know what he can do.”
Bridge-Wilkinson
Integrating New Talent: Rio Ngumoha’s Progress
One of the exciting elements of Liverpool’s U18s this season has been the addition of new talent, most notably Rio Ngumoha. While the youngster has yet to fully settle into his role, his progress is being closely monitored by the coaching staff, including Bridge-Wilkinson, who is keen to bring him up to speed.
“Rio has not been working with us an awful lot, to be fair, as he has been training with the U21s,” Bridge-Wilkinson explained. “But he is a great kid, his attitude has been fantastic.”
Though still in the early stages of his integration, Ngumoha’s talent has already caught the eye of the coaching staff. His involvement with the U21s demonstrates the level of promise he holds, and his positive attitude has made him a welcome addition to the group.
Bridge-Wilkinson expressed gratitude for having such a talented player within the squad: “He is obviously a talented boy and we are really fortunate to have him in and around the group on these matchdays.”
Ngumoha’s progress will be closely followed, and while it may take some time for him to find his rhythm with the U18s, there’s no doubt that his presence will add another layer of quality to an already promising group of players.
Tough Start to the Season: A Learning Process
The 2024-25 campaign has not been easy for Liverpool U18s so far. Despite solid performances, the results have not always reflected the quality of their play. For Bridge-Wilkinson, this has been a source of frustration, but it’s also part of the learning process for his young squad.
“Every day is a learning day,” the manager said, emphasizing the importance of growth and development. “Results breed confidence, and I think in time we will look back on this and we will have learned an awful lot.”
While wins have been hard to come by, the lessons from early-season setbacks will ultimately serve the team well in the long run. Building resilience, learning how to manage difficult situations, and maintaining belief even in challenging circumstances are all key aspects of player development.
Bridge-Wilkinson acknowledged the difficulty of dealing with poor results despite good performances. “It might not feel that way at this minute, sometimes it’s tough to take the results we have been getting,” he said. “Even though performances have been quite good, we have still come out with the wrong result.”
The challenge now is to find a way to turn those performances into victories. Confidence is a key factor, and the manager knows that a win at the right time could change the team’s fortunes.
“We’ve got to find a way of changing that. It’s not easy,” Bridge-Wilkinson admitted. “We are trying to give the boys confidence but ultimately we’ve got to go out there and play with a little bit of purpose, a belief and a performance – and maybe a win at the right time will start that confidence.”
Back to Basics: Focusing on the Fundamentals
As Liverpool U18s prepare for their upcoming match against Newcastle United, Bridge-Wilkinson’s message to his players is clear: focus on the basics. The manager believes that getting the simple things right will lay the foundation for success.
“It’s as simple as going back to the most basic parts of pass the ball, receive it, and quickly move it on,” he said. “Defend our goal with everything – blocks, headers, clearances – and find a way to build the game in and around their box.”
By concentrating on these fundamental aspects of the game, the manager hopes his players will gain the confidence they need to push forward. Simple but effective play, combined with hard work and determination, could be the key to turning their season around.
“It’s just about doing the simple parts of our game really well and really effectively,” Bridge-Wilkinson explained. “And that will breed the confidence the boys can take forward.”
Home Comforts: A Return to the Academy Show Pitch
Saturday’s clash against Newcastle United will take place on the main Academy show pitch, a venue that Bridge-Wilkinson describes as “a special place” for the players. Playing at home offers an opportunity for the young Reds to build on their performance at Leeds and claim their first win of the season.
“It’s a great place to play football,” the manager said. “We are looking forward to the game against Newcastle United.”
The sense of pride in playing on such a prestigious pitch is not lost on the players, and Bridge-Wilkinson hopes that the occasion will inspire them to deliver a strong performance.
“As always, we are really grateful to get on the main pitch, and let’s hope it’s a good one,” he concluded.
Looking Ahead: A Season of Growth
While the start of the season has been challenging for Liverpool U18s, the squad’s character, resilience, and commitment to learning offer plenty of reasons for optimism. With players like Josh Sonni-Lambie showing flashes of brilliance and new talents like Rio Ngumoha working their way into the fold, the future looks bright.
For Marc Bridge-Wilkinson, the focus remains on development and helping his players grow into the best versions of themselves. The journey may be tough, but the lessons learned along the way will undoubtedly shape the next generation of Liverpool stars.
As the team prepares for their next match, all eyes will be on how they respond to the challenges they’ve faced so far. With the right mentality and a return to basics, there’s every chance that the young Reds will soon be celebrating their first victory of the season.
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YNWA (You’ll Never Walk Alone)!
The Liverpool FC Times Team
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