Youth Team/Cup

[Allan]

Halftime whistle is blown, Liverpool 3 Newcastle 2.

 

Been an entertaining half of football.

[Pidge]

I see Randall (U18s captain) is in the side tonight. Interesting considering how well Williams has done lately.

 

Maguire's benefited from being pushed to the u21s (previously I thought it was a bit too early - following Smith's injury) as well.

[MLB]

Yeah, I think a loan would do Dunn the world of good. He has qualities that suggest he could make it but he needs a season of competitive football. There's no reason why he can't go to a decent Championship team and score 10-15 goals next season.

[MLB]

It's so hard to predict which defenders are going to make it. About a year ago I was absolutely convinced that McLaughlin and Smith were headed for the first team, but the latter looked like a deer in the headlights when he got his chance. It just shows you how impressive Jon Flanagan's mental strength is because he has never looked phased since stepping up to the first team. That's a really big part of the puzzle for defenders in particular, I think.

[Pidge]

To be fair to Smith he was thrown on at Stamford Bridge, out of position, with us needing a goal. Was quite an ask. Plus, he's broken his leg in that year period.

 

Not that your being particularly unfair. It's really difficult to tell. I think the best way to look at it is that they all have an opportunity, ultimately the mental side of the game will make the difference and you just don't know until they are getting those games in senior football.

[MLB]

I still have high hopes for Smith but he doesn't look ready for the first team yet. He's another one I'd like to see get some games out on loan next season.

 

The defence has looked a lot better here after that shaky start. Jones and Paez are starting to form a decent understanding, and Randall has done very well at right back.

[Allan]

Kent off for Bijev.

[MLB]

Smith has been excellent second half.

 

Peterson with the 4th.

[Allan]

Peterson extends the lead with his second of the game. Good work from Brad Smith down the left and his cut back is tucked away by the on running Peterson.

[MLB]

5-2, Smith with another excellent assist, this time for Jack Dunn.

[Allan]

Dunn has a double deep into added time. Brad Smith again down the left with the cut back, and Dunn finishes clinically in off the post.

[Allan]

Fulltime, Liverpool 5 Newcastle 2.

 

Good game to watch. The second half was played with a little more discipline than the first.

[Trumo]

For me, the most noticeable thing about the youth set-up is the change in what's required of our central midfielders. Too often, they were generally OK players but didn't stand out in any meaningfully effective way. They weren't that great at screening the defence and they offered almost nothing going forward, but they were diligent and always looked to pass the ball quickly and simply. While it's perhaps unfair to single out individuals, I'm thinking of the likes of Roddan, Cooper and even Spearing and Coady. Now, the likes of Lussey, Rossiter and Brannagan are very clever with their use of the ball and are able to make a significant impact in the final third yet still keep things simple when required, and it makes the teams they play in look that much more fluid and dangerous.

 

Maybe it's not so much a change in emphasis, but more the natural evolution of the players coming through the ranks from when the revised academy development scheme was put in place by the likes of Borrell and Segura. The plan itself was always intended to develop the players in this way but it needed several players to fall by the wayside because they hadn't been introduced to that system from the beginning. The ones that are involved at the moment have been more fully indoctrinated so as long as they show the right attitude and application, they'll be able to more effectively utilise their abilities.

[Pidge]

I'd say that's very harsh on both Coady and Spearing at youth level, but a lot of good points otherwise.

[kalasoma]

Are the youth team developing better for having some of them train with the first team? Is there a better coaching philosophy, or is it that the legacy of such people like Borrell has put the Academy in a stronger position vs other youth team set-ups? It just seems like we're seeing a greater number of good players than before.

[alles ist gut]

Under-18s vs. Manchester City at 11.

 

Firth;Waldron, Roberts, Cleary, Brewitt; Virtue, O'Hanlon, Phillips, Hart, Ojo; Trickett-Smith

 

Subs: Wheeler, Travis, Griffin, Kane.

[Allan]

Trickett-Smith hits the post. Nice ball from O'Hanlon to send DTS through.

[Allan]

City hit the woodwork as well. Pretty even contest so far.

[Allan]

City hit the post again. Firth may have gotten a finger tip on the ball to help it onto the post.

 

[Allan]

Phillips off for Griffin. Injury forces the substitution.

[Allan]

City are getting on top now. They break from our corner and should score, but Firth stays big and makes a very good save.

[Allan]

O'Hanlon breaks the deadlock, against the run of play it has to be said. Trickett-Smith found Sam Hart in the box, but he scuffed his shot, the ball fell kindly for O'Hanlon and the young Irishman was able to control his effort and find the back of the City net.

[Allan]

Halftime, Liverpool 1 City 0.

 

First half hour was fairly even, with City probably edging it. The last 15 minutes was all City, who put real pressure our back line. Firth has made a couple of good saves and the woodwork has denied City twice.

 

We've created a couple of chances in the half, not been as fluid going forward as we have been in previous games, but we've got a fair few players playing in new positions. O'Hanlon is playing wide right, Sam Hart wide left, with Ojo through the middle supported by Trickett-Smith.

[Allan]

Second half is underway and Trickett-Smith has an opportunity almost direct from kick off. Slack defending by City gave Trickett-Smith the ball, but his strike went over the bar.

[Allan]

City are level. They work the ball from right to left where the left winger cuts back onto his right and drills a low effort that squeezes under Firth.