Liverweb

report from my perspective at the academy The Reds lost the youth derby after Everton scored two late goals to take the three points. In fairness the Reds created very little and Everton just seemed to be that little bit stronger and better on the day. Give that this was a derby there was just one side who were really right up for the fight and that made the difference. The whole game was watched by Steven Gerrard and Didi Hamann. The away side won the toss and turned the sides around before kicking off. Everton started well and they had the first half chance but McGiveron slid in well to help clear the danger. The big thing about watching at this level is that you hear everything the ref says. He told James Ellison off for being "naughty" for a deliberate hand ball and then told Michael Roberts off for being slightly late. On twelve minutes he booked Tom Ince when he was a little late on the right back of Everton. The first chance for the Reds came on fifteen minutes when Adorjan headed wide of the target under pressure. Just after and Dobie was spoken to by the Ref for giving verbals to Andre Wisdom. The ref certainly had his work cut out to keep this one toned down. Chris Oldfield was called in to the action midway through the half when he pounced on a loose ball in the area after a good cross was blocked out. Just after the half hour and the Reds had a great chance when Wisdom put Ince in but after cuttingback inside his man he fired a woeful shot high and wide. Murphy got booked a few minutes before half time when he went though the back of Ellison. The best chance of the half though came to Adorjan when he was sent clear by Ellison but under pressure he shot straight at the keeper. The second half saw the two sides come out and be ready for the half well before the ref and were left waiting for him. The Reds got the half started again but the second half just wasn't quite good enough from them. Someof their moves were good but all too often they just never tested the keeper. Twelve minutes in to the half and Orentuga went down the right well and put a great cross in to but Codling flicked his shot over the bar under pressure from Oldfield. Up at the other end and Ince finally showed what he could do when putting in a cross which Roddan fired wide. The Reds made a change midway through the half when Ngoo replaced Ellison up front. The away side took the lead with seven minutes left on the clock when their number four hit home at the back post after Oldfield missed a corner. It took the away side just four minutes to score a second and ultimately kill the game off. Orentuga attacked down their right side and his deep cross sailed over everyone to the back of the area. McAleny picked the ball up and calmly curled his shot in to the back of the net. The Reds did make a late change as Tony Silva replaced Adorjan but he had far too little time to make an impression and the Reds just didn't look like scoring at all. In the closing seconds Dobie was booked for clattering Rodden in midfield whilst the last kick of the match went to Donegan who curled a free kick to the top corner only to see Oldfield fly up and tip the ball over the bar. Overall the result was fair for me. Everton did more to win the game and looked far more muscular to the Reds who just didn't play enough good football on the day. Personal Player Ratings Oldfield - flapped at a couple of crosses and ultimately missed both crosses for the goals. Flanagan - got up and down the wing when he could and had a reasonable game overall Giglio - defended reasonably well although both goals came from his side and didn't quite support the attack enough for my liking Sama - the one thing that sticks out to me is that he is often just too relaxed in his play and he was caught out a couple of times as a result but if he got rid of this there is potential there in him. McGiveron - captain on the day and it was he who kept the defence going and generally was the more dominant figure at the back winning most of his tackles. Rodden and Roberts - for me the pair go together here as they were over run too often for me in the centre of midfield. Their biggest problem was being out muscled. Wisdom - centre back playing right wing and he has great pace but sadly on this performance his touch was like Emile Heskey and that gave away possession all too easily. Ellison - worked really hard for little reward up front and was ultiately subbed. He knew the meaning of the match but with little service couldn't do it all himself. Adorjan - themystery man for me - one minute he shows great skill the next he just surrenders possession over to the other side and looks like a fish out of water. Ince - the great enigma - I've seen him skin his man and put a cross or two in but for me he just disappears out of game far too easily and I think he needs to be dropped to get a reaction from him or he'll never make it. Subs Ngoo - didn't get enough possession in his half hour on the pitch and looks gangly but at times he did show great skill on the ball. Silva - too little time on the pitch to really see what he could do. Liverpool Oldfield, Flanagan, Giglio, Sama, McGiveron, Rodden, Wisdom, Roberts, Elison (Ngoo 68), Adorjan (Silva 89), Ince Unused Subs Ihiekwe, Chamberlain, Pepper Goal Everton Davies, Browning, Cunnins, Murphy, McCarton, Donegan, Orentuga, Dobie, Codling, Hope, McAleny Unused Subs Nolan, Fitzgibbon, Thompson, Watson, Forrester Goal Murphy, McAleny

The Reds slumped to a three goal defeat at home to Leicester and a wet and blustery afternoon at the academy. The thankful thing for the Reds is that it was only three nil as well as they were outplayed by a Leicester side which looked older and bigger in every department. Leicester got the game started heading away from the academy and in to the wind. I'd forgotten just how windy it gets down there. With just five minutes on the clock physio Dave Galley was on attending Lauri Dalla Valle who took the ball full in his face as he tried to get on to a loose one. He was up after a while though. It was a mixed start as both sides looked to get the upper hand. Leicester to me looked like an U18 side compared to an U17 side for the Reds. Just short of the twenty minute mark and Leicester could have taken the lead and only they will know how they didn't when the Reds defence was carved open but somehow they skewed the ball wide with the net wide open. Leicester were really starting to play the better football now and most of the game was played in the Reds half. Yussuf looked dangerous up front for Leicester and he forced Oldfield in to a couple of saves. On the half hour Leicester hit the post through Norburn and then Chamberlain had his shot saved. The Reds didn't take note of the opposition dominance though and were a goal down five minutes later. Oldfield half cleared with a punch but as it dropped on the edge of the area City lobbed it back goalwards and with Oldfield going up with a couple of Reds and a Leicester player the ball flew in tot he net and Oldfield didn't get back up. The goal was given and Leicester celebrated as a stretcher was called for the keeper. Liam Jacob, fresh from the reserves in midweek took his place in the Reds goal. Oldfield managed to get off the stretcher later but was taken back on the buggy and limped in tot he dressing room with an ice patch on his knee. Just before half time Chamberlain should've scored when he lifted the ball over Jacob but it hit the post and rolled across the goal where Wisdom cleared it. Leicester were cheering a goal when they realised it hadn't actually gone in. Half time saw another downpour but at least you could take cover and get a cup of tea. The Reds made a switch at half time with Stephen Sama replacing Adam Dawson. Sama went in to the centre back with captain Conor Coady going to midfield and Alex Cooper went to the left of midfield. Just eleven minutes in to the second half and Bolger gave the visitors a second goal. He rose superbly well to power home with his head. It wasn't exactly under pressure which should worry the Reds back line but it was really an uphill struggle now. Yussuf went close with a shot minutes later as City really started to dominate. Up front the Reds were isolated and nothing was sticking at all when, on the rare occasion it was hit up there. Adorjan was awful with Dalla Valle isolated completely. Conor Coady picked up a yellow card on sixty one minutes when he brought his man down, although he did win the ball. However Coady came from behind and left the ground to get the ball. Shortly after the Reds made their final switch when Jack Robinson replaced Matty McGiveron. A second card came when Alex Cooper was booked for persistent fouls - based on the ref pointing to numerous places around the pitch. He had at least run around trying to get the Reds in to the game. Leicester fired their third goal on seventy five minutes. Stephen Sama conceded a free kick as he slipped over on the edge of the box which made him look rather clumsy. Leicester pulled the free kick back to the edge of the area where Chamberlain amongst a couple of free men picked it up and smashed it home. A couple of minutes later and Jacob was off his line well to save a ball as Chamberlain looked get through on goal. Jacob saved the ball with his face ultimately and he was really dazed by it and ultimately fell over after the ball was cleared. Thankfully though after treatment he was able to carry on - which was just as well given that there were no more subs left. As the clock ticked on Leicester made use of their four man bench by making three changes in all. For the Reds though the final whistle couldn't come quickly enough and by the time it did they were playing with ten men after Dalla Valle limped off. It didn't affect much as he'd been starved of the ball all day anyway. Overall this was really disappointing to watch it has to be said and if I were a scout watching this as a neutral I'd be struggling to make anything for the Red players. Taking in to account what I've seen of players before Andre Wisdom looks like he's definitely one to make the step up when the time comes and Conor Coady has a chance if he sticks to his game. Worryingly Ince seems to be going backwards a little for me given his billing and Dalla Valle looks like he might get a little lost in games through not working enough. Of the rest many have time on their hands such as Dawson and Roddan so only time will tell there really. MotM : Andre Wisdom - looks a real rock at the back and reads the game well and certainly has more to him than this showing where he was left very exposed by a weak midfield. Liverpool Oldfield (Jacob 35), Flnanagan, McGiveron (Robinson 63), Wisdom, Coady ©, Roddan, Dawson (Sama 45), Cooper, Dalla Valle, Adorjan, Ince Unused Subs Ihikwe, Giglio Goal Leicester City Ambrusics, Norburn (Byrne 86), Taft, Milnes, Bolger, Parkes ©, Jorrin, King, Chamberlain, Yussuf (Tebbutt 84), Schlupp (Hogan 87) Unused Subs Brown Goal ?, Bolger, Chamberlain Referee R J Jones

does all add up clarke came on after 73 minutes and lasted ten gotta say well done to JG though for his memory

which means it was hand ball, sent off and free kick which we scored from so who was in the net? options for keeper are Atherton, Nolan, Walker, Stefanovic, Carbone, Pembridge, Oakes, Booth, Whiitingham, Donaldson based on who was left on the pitch at the time

The game we fecked up the CL went in to the game in 2nd and finished the day 4th O'Neill Donaldson scored for sheff wed Jamie Redknapp fired home a screamer of a free kick in the 83rd minute to equalise BUT Matt Clarke was sent off in the 83rd minute also. Was he sent off to give us the free kick or after the goal went in. After that who went in the sheff wed goal muchas gracias :)

allegedly there wont be a third kit next season - hence there not being one presented

there's no regulation there as there loan deals finishedso the registration sits back with the club again. Why you wouldn't play them is a bizarre thing mind I do agree. Chances are that they will all be off on loan again. That said I dont think antwi and lindfield set the world alight on loan anyway so may not necessarily be too fit. I know the ressies is darn slow these days but surely they could last. I'd guess that Darby would play in the middle with maybe Irwin at RB? Andre Wisdom might get called up again as he did make the bench at newcastle.

which doubled as a way to split the centre backs as well with the idea of playes like osman and pienaar to nip in through between them it certainly stopped the full backs going forward thats for sure which didn't help us last night. just one of a few things that didnt quite work on the night. subs being a massive one in my mind.

i thought they had anichebe and Cahill both pushed up top. It was just that they played in an old style inside left and right position rather than going right through the middle.

looking at just 2008 as a cal year P56 W34 D 16 L5 F105 A44 page might not paste to well here but 200708 02/01/2008 Premiership Wigan Athletic Anfield D 1-1 42308 200708 06/01/2008 FA Cup Luton Town Kenilworth Road D 1-1 10226 200708 12/01/2008 Premiership Middlesbrough The Riverside D 1-1 33035 200708 15/01/2008 FA Cup Luton Town Anfield W 5-0 41446 200708 21/01/2008 Premiership Aston Villa Anfield D 2-2 42590 200708 26/01/2008 FA Cup Havant & Waterlooville Anfield W 5-2 42566 200708 30/01/2008 Premiership West Ham United Upton Park L 0-1 34977 200708 02/02/2008 Premiership Sunderland Anfield W 3-0 43244 200708 10/02/2008 Premiership Chelsea Stamford Bridge D 0-0 41788 200708 16/02/2008 FA Cup Barnsley Anfield L 1-2 42449 200708 19/02/2008 Champions League Inter Milan Anfield W 2-0 41999 200708 23/02/2008 Premiership Middlesbrough Anfield W 3-2 43612 200708 02/03/2008 Premiership Bolton Wanderers Reebok W 3-1 24004 200708 05/03/2008 Premiership West Ham United Anfield W 4-0 42954 200708 08/03/2008 Premiership Newcastle United Anfield W 3-0 44031 200708 11/03/2008 Champions League Inter Milan San Siro W 1-0 80000 200708 15/03/2008 Premiership Reading Anfield W 2-1 43524 200708 23/03/2008 Premiership Manchester United Old Trafford L 0-3 76000 200708 30/03/2008 Premiership Everton Anfield W 1-0 44295 200708 02/04/2008 Champions League Arsenal Emirates Stadium D 1-1 60041 200708 05/04/2008 Premiership Arsenal Emirates Stadium D 1-1 60111 200708 08/04/2008 Champions League Arsenal Anfield W 4-2 41985 200708 13/04/2008 Premiership Blackburn Rovers Anfield W 3-1 43283 200708 19/04/2008 Premiership Fulham Craven Cottage W 2-0 25311 200708 22/04/2008 Champions League Chelsea Anfield D 1-1 42180 200708 26/04/2008 Premiership Birmingham City St Andrews D 2-2 29252 200708 30/04/2008 Champions League Chelsea Stamford Bridge L 2-3 38900 200708 04/05/2008 Premiership Manchester City Anfield W 1-0 43074 200708 11/05/2008 Premiership Tottenham Hotspur White Hart Lane W 2-0 36063 200809 12/07/2008 Friendly Tranmere Rovers Prenton Park W 1-0 0 200809 16/07/2008 Friendly FC Lucerne Grenchen W 2-1 9500 200809 19/07/2008 Friendly Wisla Krakow Friborg D 1-1 1000 200809 22/07/2008 Friendly Hertha Berlin Olympic Stadium D 0-0 51684 200809 02/08/2008 Friendly Rangers Ibrox W 4-0 50223 200809 05/08/2008 Friendly Valerenga Ullevaal Stadium W 4-1 25377 200809 08/08/2008 Friendly Lazio Anfield W 1-0 43062 200809 16/08/2008 Premiership Sunderland Stadium of Light W 1-0 43259 200809 23/08/2008 Premiership Middlesbrough Anfield W 2-1 43168 200809 31/08/2008 Premiership Aston Villa Villa Park D 0-0 41647 200809 13/09/2008 Premiership Manchester United Anfield W 2-1 44192 200809 20/09/2008 Premiership Stoke City Anfield D 0-0 43931 200809 27/09/2008 Premiership Everton Goodison park W 2-0 39574 200809 05/10/2008 Premiership Manchester City City of Manchester Stadium W 3-2 47280 200809 18/10/2008 Premiership Wigan Athletic Anfield W 3-2 43868 200809 26/10/2008 Premiership Chelsea Stamford Bridge W 1-0 41705 200809 29/10/2008 Premiership Portsmouth Anfield W 1-0 43378 200809 01/11/2008 Premiership Tottenham Hotspur White Hart Lane L 1-2 36183 200809 08/11/2008 Premiership West Bromwich Albion Anfield W 3-0 43451 200809 15/11/2008 Premiership Bolton Wanderers Reebok Stadium W 2-0 24893 200809 22/11/2008 Premiership Fulham Anfield D 0-0 43589 200809 01/12/2008 Premiership West Ham United Anfield D 0-0 41169 200809 06/12/2008 Premiership Blackburn Rovers Ewood Park W 3-1 26920 200809 13/12/2008 Premiership Hull City Anfield DW 2-2 43835 200809 21/12/2008 Premiership Arsenal Emirates Stadium D 1-1 60094 200809 26/12/2008 Premiership Bolton Wanderers Anfield W 3-0 43548 200809 28/12/2008 Premiership Newcastle United St James' Park W 5-1 52114

so given that we got you the answer do we share the prize? :)

Goal 100 : Steve Heighway versus Dynamo Berlin December 13 1972 Round 3 2nd Leg Home

how accurate really is that list or is this just a general lets list all our U16 side and say they must be to old for U16 therefore our U18 squad. As Dave says we already have a number of players going in to their second and maybe final year with only three exited, two promoted to Melwood so in 2007-8 we used 21 players in the league of which some were from the list admittedly we're maybe talking about adding this list to about 14 who are already around Can we really have an academy that big for a league season that only plays 28 games I reckon that U16 list will be trimmed down a bit. It'd often the case that U16 players get released

maybe they might finally try and flog some decent stuff in there given how backward we've been for years in merchandising.

he was probably having lunch with his fave TLW devotee

Alex Cooper came off the bench for Scotland in the match against Serbia which the Serbs won 2-0. Bruna wasn't involved for Spain and as for the hair - Dave is definitely winning his battle to be Jordy Brouwer.

he's off to Portsmouth from the rumour i got told and it's a nailed on one yadda yadda

I think as the thread started about Hamburg etc then in a sense the 'club' has brought him in as a man with the vision to run an academy for us so that whoever is in charge of the first team they have a good solid base behind them. As is mentioned regularly throughout the thread the barca model. Perhaps looking at it differently - the arsenal model which allows players movement through a single Arsenal vision. The Spearing/Plessis vote reminded me of a few years ago at the academy for players being brought through and it's not exactly the same as i really rate Plessis and Jay Zak Whitbread came through the academy at the same time as Ste McNulty. Now for both me and Dave there was one player far better than the other. The 'lesser' in my mind was kept on compared to the 'heart' of McNulty. Ste did actually have huge talent in my mind and could have developed more through Melwood but it was Zak because in my mind he just looked more elegant playing the ball etc rather than a stopper style. Plessis looks so calm and assured on the ball and throughout the play and he showed that at Arsenal. On the other hand Spearing looks a right little terrier in midfield and does a great job for me. That reserve midfield wouldn't be half as good without the pair of them. The question though is would Jay get the chance to move up a level with us? I'd love to see him given a chance but as is well written on the thread Jay has played so many positions. The first time I saw Jay was as a 16 year old bollocking the then u19 players from right back. It's interesting that of those touted as being sacked are those that are further down the chain. Is it being viewed therefore that the players being brought through to Shannon and McAuley are simply not good enough and this is why they always end up with a building block of throwing foreign talent in alongside them? Looking at the academy side of this season few are academy all the way players. Eccleston is and has been a star for his goals but often after that the players coming up the last age rank or two are all falling away. Imagine an U18 side without Pourie, Amoo, Ajdarevic, mackay steven, kacaniklic etc and leave it to just those being pushed up through the system from u9 etc; It might be an even worse state that we are in then - hence them maybe being shoved aside and of course those same kids were scouted so is the scouting simply crap OR of course maybe local distance kids just aren't as good these days?

oooooooo the power of the TLW Blog if it's true eh!

must admit that I thought it was well over the line i think the way in which Bouzanis fell though is what helped him out. Also doing it and getting up all in one motion to carry on rather than being caught in the goal with the oh honest it's not gone out even though i'm at full stretch and the ball is half way over the line It wouldn't have been a fair reflection on the game as whole had that finished 1-1 though. United looked ok in general build up but woeful up front at creating anything

I saw the rumour on bbc's gossip column and then saw where it came from However I can't blame the agent saying anything if he has given the club are arsing about over it. Ultimately if we make the move then he's ours because of the deal that is set up when he first arrived It's going to be the summer before it's sorted out mainly because these idiots in charge keep dilly dallying over the buying etc;

I don't think it's an excuse but reality Since it all blew up and we're talking potential new manager or not etc the players slowly start to feel like - is he staying? is he an idiot who I don't want to play for. What's going on all around me. What if a new boss comes in will he hate me will he like me It's like when you change a manager everyone ups their game for a short while to convince the new man that actually they are good. Rafa looked awful last night in the interview after the game. To me he looked shot - now if thats a cold fair enough but to me it looked a guy shot that has had it. What can he do to strengthen the side. Yes getting back to some basics but you have to have the players belief at times as well to do that. So much of this just reminds me of the final GH days when the players weren't with him anymore.

another worry I have over Kewell other than the fact i think he's shite is why can't he last 90 minutes? He's been allegedly fit now (on the iptch and training) for a coupleof months and still doesnt look like he can last a 90

This post seems to have been missed by many but suggests that the rumours are wrong. That said given that they are now flying everywhere surely the club would be looking to put out a statement rather than just have a cosy phone chat with someone like Parry saying "How'dee Rick. I'm not selling you know despite the stories but hell don't tell anyone" I know you simply can't make a statement after everything is said but surely this is something that could be said. Or perhaps he is considering his ground and he's actually reading TLW (well can you blame him) to see what the opinion is around the pace about him. Based on the thread so far he'll be donning his riding boots to Dubai right now with his swag bag to fill.

Finnan Torres Mascherano