AFC Liverpool’s Under-18s players have been told to “give everything” in tomorrow night’s mouthwatering FA Youth Cup clash with Ramsbottom United.

The Merseyside youngsters take on their Lancashire counterparts at The Marine Travel Arena (7pm). A ground that famously hosted Marine’s FA Cup clash with Tottenham Hotspur last season. They will be looking to progress into the First Qualifying Round, where an intriguing meeting with either Runcorn or Marine awaits the winners. Scott Seddon, who guided his AFC Liverpool Under-18s side to promotion into Division One of the North-West Youth Alliance last season, is looking forward to tomorrow’s encounter.

He said: “The FA Youth Cup is the most famous youth football competition in the world. The players have been pumped up for this all week. “There has been a great atmosphere in training and the lads are now just keen to get on with the game and job in hand. “Ramsbottom are an excellent side with some good players. This will be nothing other than a very, very tough game.”

The FA Youth Cup has been previously won by some of the biggest names in football; Manchester United, Liverpool and Arsenal. AFC Liverpool have a number of rounds to go before they reach the stage where Premier League sides become involved. Seddon wants his players to lay down an early marker. He added: “I have told the players to savour the occasion, but to also express yourselves. “If we win and then perform well in the next round, then who knows? Sport is all about great stories like this. “I know the lads will give everything in this game and I will be proud of them. If we gather some momentum in this competition, then it can kick-start our league season as well.”

The AFC Liverpool Under-18s squad is part of the 7 Elite Academy Player Pathway. It gives young people opportunities to study and train as footballers on a daily basis. They also get the chance to play at numerous 7 Elite Academy locations overseas and apply for college scholarships in the United States.