AFC Liverpool Under-18s take on South Shields in the FA Youth Cup on Monday with all eyes on a place in the First Round Proper for the first time in the club’s history.

The Reds youngsters have already beaten Cheadle Heath, Curzon Ashton and Wrexham during a remarkable run in this season’s competition.

They go into Monday’s tie at the Marine Travel Arena (7pm) with confidence high after scoring 16 goals in those three games, while also impressing in the league.

But they face a Mariners outfit that has struck 19 times in the same competition this year and even reached the Third Round Proper in 2020.

7 Elite Academy Director Anthony Godfrey, who manages AFC Liverpool’s Under-18s side as part of a sponsorship deal with the first team, urged caution ahead of the game.

He said: “We have played some fantastic football in the FA Youth Cup so far this season, but again we’ll be taking a step up against South Shields on Monday.

“We will be taking care of our own game and making sure we do the basics right. If we do that, then we have a good chance of making progress.

“I have been really impressed with how our players have responded to each challenge so far, so this is another opportunity to make that development count.

“The last game against Wrexham was a brilliant occasion for this group of players and they really dug in to secure the win, especially in the second half.

“That sort of hard work and passion is precisely what we’ll need against South Shields on Monday night.”

Around 200 fans have packed in the Marine Travel Arena for each game during this year’s FA Youth Cup run, an impressive number for this level of competition.

AFC Liverpool Chairman, Chris Stirrup, is looking forward to another memorable night under the MTA floodlights.

He said: “Each game in the FA Youth Cup this season has got better and better for this team and this club as a whole.

“We’ve seen AFC Liverpool fans and younger 7 Elite Academy players in the stands at every game, which is great for grassroots football in Liverpool.

“I want to see more of that on Monday, which will be another level in terms of challenge for these players.

“The coaching staff have done a brilliant job so far and it would be fantastic to see the lads reach the First Round Proper for the first time in the club’s history.”