Reserves to play tournament in Dortmund

PaulMcC · May 19, 2010

Reds ready for Dortmund test - Liverpool FC

Liverpool Reserves will fly out to Germany later today as they prepare to tackle the likes of Schalke, Bayern Munich and AC Milan in the prestigious RUHR.2010 Cup.

Video: Reserves' Player of the Season>>The eight-team tournament, which will be contested in Dortmund, will be played out from Thursday to Monday, with matches taking place on each day to determine which side clinches the trophy.

The Reds will go head-to-head with German duo Schalke and Bayern as well as Italian giants AC Milan, while the other group in the competitions pits hosts Dortmund against Kaizer Chiefs, Werder Bremen and Fenerbahce.

The top two teams from each group will then do battle in the semi-finals on Sunday, before the final takes place the following day - and McMahon believes the competition will provide his young squad with some quality experience in their development.

"It'll be a great experience," the second-string boss told Liverpoolfc.tv. "They'll be playing against European players, who have a different mentality in terms of the way they play the game, so they'll have to learn how to deal with it.

"Obviously there's also different tactics and systems of play they'll need to get used to - not everyone will play 4-4-2 so they'll need to adapt.

"We're taking a very young squad. It's predominantly an U19 tournament, although you're allowed six U20 players. I'm sure all of the teams going there will be strong.

"We're taking Jesus Fernandez, a 16-year-old Spanish kid, Jakub Sokolik, who is also 16, and then we're taking Stephen Sama and Thomas Ince from the Academy. The rest of the players will be lads we use anyway."

He added: "It can only be a good experience for the 16-year-olds playing against older players. There are some really, really good clubs in the tournament, so it will be a tough test."

While Liverpool's players may not know too much about their opponents at this stage, McMahon insists ensuring they play to their own strengths will stand them in good stead - and the boss is adamant the Reds will be mentally ready to compete in the tournament, despite a long season.

"We don't know much about the other teams, but obviously there will be international players amongst them," he said.

"We would have liked to have gone with a stronger squad, but Jack Robinson has had to stay behind because of his exams while Conor Coady and Andre Wisdom are away with England.

"We have to get our own set up right - what we think and how we're going to play. Then, if things are not going as we'd like them to, we can adapt during the game.

"It's difficult because it's also the end of the season. Having had a long, difficult season, getting them to focus mentally is a challenge in itself, but once the games come about there won't be any problem in doing that."

Liverpool will take on Schalke on Thursday, before crossing swords with Bayern Munich 24 hours later. Their final group game is scheduled for Saturday against Milan.

McMahon feels the set up of the competition provides his players with the perfect opportunity to indulge in some team bonding before the summer break.

"It gives the younger lads a chance to integrate themselves within the squad and allows everyone to bond," he said. "The lads will be rooming together and getting to know each other.

"We've just come back from a couple of games in Spain and Belgium, so they've had that interaction together too.

"It's good for team morale and for the lads to get to know each other - hopefully that will stand them in good stead for next season."

McMahon added: "It would be nice to end the season with a trophy. We're not just going there to make the numbers up - we want to do well.

"We just hope we can perform to our best. All we can do is try our best and see how we go."

Author: James Carroll

PaulMcC · May 19, 2010