The reds u18s kick off their youth cup campaign this weekend when they face Cardiff City at Anfield on Saturday morning. John Owens’ regular line up has been boosted by the addition of several of Paco Herrera’s reserve squad for this competition, and hopes are high that the boys can have a decent run this year.
A Michael Owen inspired Liverpool won the competition in 1996, but results since then have been largely disappointing. In 2000/01 Neil Mellor’s goals fired the boys to the semi finals, where they suffered a heartbreaking penalty shoot out loss to Blackburn, but since then the reds have won only one game in the Youth Cup..
An away defeat at Leeds sent the lads tumbling out at the first stage in 2001/02, and further disappointment would come in the shape of embarrassing home defeats to Barnsley and Gillingham as Liverpool failed to advance past the third round stage for three years in a row.
The draw was kind to the reds last year, as they were handed a home tie with minnows Wealdstone. A 6-0 drubbing set up a home tie against Spurs, but despite a battling performance the lads were dumped out after a penalty shoot out.
This year the u18 side are going pretty well in their league, and currently lie third in the table. John Owens has a squad of 24 players to choose from for Academy league games, although some of those are too old for the youth cup.
Paco Herrera’s summer recruitment drive has seen the reserve side basically become a second u18 side, and the youth cup squad will be made up of the best of both Owens’ Academy side and Herrera’s reserve lads.
The new look squad played their first game together last week, defeating Stoke City 2-1 at the Academy last Friday, and it’s expected that the team that played that day will not be far from the one which will take the field on Saturday morning.
So for those of you not familiar with the young lads, these are the boys who will be hoping to follow in the footsteps of Carra, Owen and Little Thommo.
The likely starters…..
 | Dave Roberts - Goalkeeper (1st year). David already has experience of the youth cup, having played twice at Anfield last season as a 16 year old. Performed well in both games, and has been in good form for the u18’s this season. |
 | Miquel Roque - Defender (Reserves). Spanish youngster who has been a regular in the reserve side this season at centre back. ‘Miki’ settled in immediately after arriving from Llieda in the summer, and the 17 year old has turned in a number of assured displays. Likely to be used at right back in the youth cup, and scored on his debut for the u18s in the 2-1 win over Stoke last week. |
 | Stephen Darby - Defender (1st Year). Mr Dependable. Darby has been a fixture in John Owens’ u18 side this season, and has played both full back positions as well as centre back. Possesses a fantastic attitude and work ethic, and just gets on with his job regardless of where he is asked to play. Will probably be used mostly at left back in the youth cup. |
 | Godwin Antwi - Defender (Reserves). Powerfully built 17 year old from Ghana, who arrived at Liverpool last summer via Real Sociedad. A regular in the reserves this season, he began the season up front due to an injury crisis, but in recent weeks he has found a home in his preferred berth of centre back, where he has been absolutely outstanding. |
 | Jack Hobbs - Defender (Reserves). Summer signing from Lincoln who has been playing for the reserves in a holding midfield role this season. He is naturally a centre half, and the midfield experiment is intended to improve his ability on the ball. Very tall and very strong, Hobbs should form a formidable centre back partnership with Antwi. |
 | Paul Anderson - Winger/Forward (Reserves). Recent arrival from Hull City, Anderson has wasted no time making an impression at reserve level, and scored the winner in a recent victory over Sunderland. He can play on either flank or up front, and is a tough little lad who loves a tackle. Quick, two footed and skillful, a lot will be expected of Paul if the reds are to advance in the competition. |
 | Jimmy Ryan - Midfielder (1st Year). The heartbeat of the side, Jimmy is a very talented player who keeps the team ticking over. Always available for a pass, he’s strong in possession and rarely gives the ball away. Possesses a powerful shot, good vision and a strong work ethic. The Xabi Alonso of the u18 side. |
 | Ryan Flynn - Midfielder (1st Year)Summer signing from Falkirk, Ryan is a neat and tidy midfielder with a good engine. He played well in the tune up game last week against Stoke, and looks to be in pole position to partner Jimmy Ryan in the centre, although he faces competition from Charlie Barnett and Paul Barratt. |
 | Adam Hammill - Winger (2nd Year)Mercurial winger who on his day can be brilliant. One of the most skilful players you’ll ever see, Adam possesses every trick known to man. His weaknesses are his decision making and final ball. If he’s on his game, he’s fantastic to watch. If he isn’t, he’s infuriating. Has impressed for both u18 and reserve sides this season and could be the star of the competition if he’s on song. |
 | Besian Idrizaj - Winger/Forward (Reserves). Austrian teenager who joined the club in August. Struggled for form initially at reserve level, and hasn’t come to terms yet with the pace of English football. ‘Bez’ scored a brilliant headed goal in the ressies 2-0 away win at Manchester United recently, and will be hoping to build on that. |
 | James Frayne - Forward (2nd Year)‘Frayney’ has been in and out of the u18 side this season, as John Owens has had to juggle his side to give all six of his strikers opportunities to play. Quick, with an eye for goal, Frayne was given the nod to start in the warm up game last week, but faces competition from Michael Nardiello for a starting place on Saturday. |
and the rest of the squad. . . .
 | Stephen Behan - Defender (1st Year)Steady full back who plays mostly on the left despite being right footed. Has been a regular for the u18 side this season, as Stephen Darby has played in the middle most weeks. The inclusion of the Melwood based lads looks to have forced Behan onto the sidelines, but he won’t let the side down should he be needed. |
 | Jordan Holmes - Defender (2nd Year)England youth international right back, who played in both youth cup games at Anfield last season, even getting on the scoresheet in the rout of Wealdstone. A very dependable full back who goes about his job with the minimum of fuss and just goes out and gets the job done. |
 | Robbie Threlfall - Defender (1st Year)Robbie would have been a strong contender for a starting place at left back, but suffered a serious knee injury a couple of months ago. He’s back in training now and is likely to be fit for the next round should the lads go through. Played in both games last year, and nervelessly slotted a penalty in the shoot out with Spurs. |
 | Jay Spearing - Defender (1st Year)Small in stature, big in heart. Reads the game very well, and is a very good footballer. Can play anywhere in defence, and last year played centre midfield in the youth cup games. Sidelined at the moment with a broken leg, but hopes to be back training in January. |
 | Charlie Barnett - Midfielder (1st Year)Talented youngster who is having a very good season for the u18s. Charlie can score goals as well as create them, and he will probably be vying with Paul Anderson and Paul Barratt for a place on the right of midfield. Has five goals to his name this season, and he is definitely a player to keep an eye on. |
 | Paul Barratt - Midfielder (2nd Year)Possibly the reds’ best player over the two youth cup games last season, Paul was a regular in the reserve set up last year as well. This year hasn’t been good for him, as the increased numbers in the u18 set up means he has been in and out of the side. His versatility makes him a useful player to have around, and he will probably be amongst the substitutes. |
 | Michael Burns - Midfielder (1st Year)Left sided former England schoolboy international, Michael’s pace and sweet left foot give the side good balance when he plays. His opportunities have been limited this season though, and he’s unlikely to dislodge Anderson or Hammill from the side. |
 | Ryan Wignall - Midfielder/Forward (1st Year)Versatile youngster who has been very much on the fringes of the u18 side this season. Comfortable in the centre of midfield or as a striker, 'Wiggy' has been mainly used as a substitute this season due to the stern competition for places in attacking areas. |
 | Lee Woodward - Midfielder/Forward (1st Year)Talented player who impressed on the right wing for the u16 side last season, and began this year up front for the u18 side. Picked up an injury early on in the season, and hasn’t yet returned to action. |
 | Michael Nardiello - Forward (1st Year)Aggressive frontman who arrived at the club in the summer after leaving Manchester United. An England u17 international who is highly rated and has played for the reserves this season. A physical player who is good in the air, and has an eye for goal, he may well even make the starting line up. |
 | Craig Lindfield - Forward (1st Year)Tall, rangy frontman who is the u18 side’s top marksman this season. A good finisher who takes up excellent positions and works very hard for the side. Craig will be competing with Frayne and Nardiello for a starting place. |
 | Jonathon Pringle - Forward (1st Year)Caught the eye last season with some excellent performances for the u16 side, but this year has hardly had a look in as he’s been out injured for most of the season. A strong player, who likes to drop off and play in the hole. Formed a good partnership with Craig Lindfield last season. |
 | Ray Putterill - Forward (1st Year)Skilful, livewire frontman who has represented England at schoolboy level. Missed most of last season through injury, and has had problems this term as well. When he has played, he’s looked very useful. Can also play wide on the right. |
Look out for a full report on saturday's game on TLW this weekend
