Topic: So what are these Youth/Reserve Lads like?

[Liverpools no. 9]

How did Sterling and Suso do in their cameo appearances?

Suso hardly got a touch, Sterling looked good, needs to bulk up of course, but wasnt afraid to dribble past defenders and even put a hard tackle in, looks good for the future.

[DanA]

How did Sterling and Suso do in their cameo appearances?

Suso on for about 2 minutes, Sterling about 10. Sterling made a nice little run into the box and an aggressive but clumsy tackle. Neither had much opportunity.

I thought Shelvey looked pretty good, could spot a pass and Wilson was calm and composed in defense. Ayala played poorly. None of the other young players really impressed.

[liverpoolfcmike]

http://www.skysports.com/football/transfers/scout/0,24035,15198_6032180,00.html

According to this, Sterling is only 15, and will be until December. If he plays any part in a competitive game up until then, it will make him the youngest Liverpool player ever by a comfortable margin. Exciting.

[theparrot]

Just been thinking that over the last 12 months we've signed Silva, Suso, Sterling, Shelvey and Wilson. Judging by the short cameos we've seen of them recently they all look like potentially great signings. Fair play to Rafa, Macia, McParland, or whoever else was responsible for these signings. Hopefully over the next 12 months we'll keep adding youngsters of this quality. 

[Tonyh]

Thought Shelvey was excellent and he is a big lad too. Has a real eye for the defence splitting ball and finding a player in space - looks a real talent. Sterling looks like he should playing in the pool with his armbands on but then scythed down one of their lads, got some balls to go with his undoubted potential. Wilson also looked very accomplished on the ball and looks like he can be part of the first team squad straight away, outshone Ayala today.

[JoeTwerp]

Lets not forget that Wilson gave the ball away cheaply on a couple of occasions too.  Although he looked excellent in his first minute of the pitch, and had other good moments too.

[harrytrow]

Lets not forget that Wilson gave the ball away cheaply on a couple of occasions too.  Although he looked excellent in his first minute of the pitch, and had other good moments too.

He is very confident on the ball and feel he could make a decent LB more so than Agger giving us cover for Aurelio

[Redcap]

Just been thinking that over the last 12 months we've signed Silva, Suso, Sterling, Shelvey and Wilson. Judging by the short cameos we've seen of them recently they all look like potentially great signings. Fair play to Rafa, Macia, McParland, or whoever else was responsible for these signings. Hopefully over the next 12 months we'll keep adding youngsters of this quality. 

One of the reasons I'm most gutted Rafa is no longer our manager. The future of our academy appears to be up in the air once more. It gives me some confidence that Borrell is still here, so the mind behind the academy system is present, but I'm not sure if there's enough muscle amongst the staff to protect the system from tinkering by the owners, whoever they may be.

[CKReds1892]

Its will be good to see the reserves play on LFCTV tomorrow night against Tranmere rovers at 7pm 

[JoeTwerp]

I'm more impressred/surprised by the fact that Segura is still around.  I thought he only signed on for one year.  Anyone know how long he plans on staying?  Is he just seeing out the transition process into the 2nd season?  Is he just sticking around until he finds a better job?


Another thing I have noticed, is a significant reduction in the number of new youngsters brought in  (the sort of U20 folks that are certainly not bought for the 1st team), the significant increase in quality of the youngsters that are brought in, and we seem to be bringing in kids at a younger age as well.  Not a universal rule but a general trend.   Less Brouwer, Mendy, Weijl, Flora, Simon, etc.   More Silva, Suso, Sterling


And I am certainly not saying that I am writing this kid off or anything, but it would seem that Gauti might have arrived a bit overhyped.  Also I think we are struggling with finding a right position for him, same sort of thing happened with Palsson when he first arrived.  Palsson fancied himself as an attacking midfielder IIRC.

[cyador]

Is gauti that tall icelandic striker/midfielder we signed last season? forgot all about him

I agree with what your saying about palsson, he seems a very athletic player, so finding his position may be hard.

Rafa seemed to have high hopes for him, so i'm personally hoping he can really push on this season.

On the fact less young players are being brought in, i remember reading somewhere about rafa saying he had to bring in so many young players as frankly they were all better than the crap the academy was churning out, and that after awhile, he wouldn't need to bring so many in, and could select the best prospects only to sign.

Now that we've got quite a few quality young players, theres less need to go and sign a load, and not as easy to find ones better than what we have.

[Maldini]

Does anybody know anything about the young arab lad who has been at the academy training these last few weeks.

Rumours abound that he is a sheikh's son, very unlikely I know but if he is I bet he was taking penalties and free kicks !!

Saw him in the background on a few of the Scotland trip clips and wondered who he was, anyone know his name?

[Seesay]

Are Jordy Brouwer, Alex Kacaniklic, Zsolt Poloskei, and Andras Simon still at the club?

[JoeTwerp]

not really sure about any of those 4, but there was sort of a report that Zsolt went back to MTK Hungaria, he was only here on loan the last two seasons anyway.  He did look quality in his couple of appearances though.

[I and I]

Are Jordy Brouwer, Alex Kacaniklic, Zsolt Poloskei, and Andras Simon still at the club?

Kacaniklic and Simon signed new contracts a week or two before Rafa left as far as I can recall.

[Aristotle]

Also I think we are struggling with finding a right position for him, same sort of thing happened with Palsson when he first arrived.  Palsson fancied himself as an attacking midfielder IIRC.

He played as a striker-turned-midfielder his entire "career" before he came here.

[barnseysleftpeg]

Am I mistaken in thinking there is a reserve game tonight? 

If so where is it being shown?

[bigbear]

He played as a striker-turned-midfielder his entire "career" before he came here.

I think he'd be a decent right sided centre back or right back. He has a decent physique and is tidy without being spectacular.

[JoeTwerp]

Am I mistaken in thinking there is a reserve game tonight? 

If so where is it being shown?

tomorrow

[JoeTwerp]

I think he'd be a decent right sided centre back or right back. He has a decent physique and is tidy without being spectacular.

I presume you are talking about Palsson, because I have gotten no indication as to how Gauti would fare as a CB

[bigbear]

I presume you are talking about Palsson, because I have gotten no indication as to how Gauti would fare as a CB

Sorry yes.

Gauti has failed to impress from the little i've seen of him to date. However, he is still fairly new to the club and a new lifestyle.

[JoeTwerp]

Sorry yes.

Gauti has failed to impress from the little i've seen of him to date. However, he is still fairly new to the club and a new lifestyle.

exactly. I'm not sure what his problem his.  His signing upposed to be a coup, and that we beat out a host of top Euro clubs and all that.  He is tall, and he had that nice header against the Mancs, but thats all I've seen.  I think in a pre-season game I saw him deployed as an out-and-out striker, I don't know if that will just confuse him more or be a place where he can settle.  We already have a pair of big U18 strikers in Mukendi and Ngoo.  Morgan also looks a good all-round sort of striker.  And then there is competition from Adjoran for the behind the striker role, and he seems to be doing quite well at the moment.  Maybe Adjoran could drop even deeper a la Pacheco in the reserves last year and that could open up a slot for Gauti to get a run of games

[Breitner]

Adorjan has caught my eye a few times on LFCTV. Two good feet and a real eye for a pass.

[bigbear]

exactly. I'm not sure what his problem his.  His signing upposed to be a coup, and that we beat out a host of top Euro clubs and all that.  He is tall, and he had that nice header against the Mancs, but thats all I've seen.  I think in a pre-season game I saw him deployed as an out-and-out striker, I don't know if that will just confuse him more or be a place where he can settle.  We already have a pair of big U18 strikers in Mukendi and Ngoo.  Morgan also looks a good all-round sort of striker.  And then there is competition from Adjoran for the behind the striker role, and he seems to be doing quite well at the moment.  Maybe Adjoran could drop even deeper a la Pacheco in the reserves last year and that could open up a slot for Gauti to get a run of games

I've seen a good bit of Morgan and he can finish, a real natural goalscorer.

[JoeTwerp]

I've seen a good bit of Morgan and he can finish, a real natural goalscorer.

while being a natural goalscorer sounds like a great quality in a youngster, we have seen that before.  I really only saw Lindfield in youth cup games, but he was a good scorer in those.  Nemeth had good goal scoring stretches in the reserves, and LDV scored a whole mess of goals in the academy.

Now I would certainly rather have a natural goalscorer than an unnatural goalscorer, but I just think that you need to much more in your bag in order to succeed at the higher levels as a striker.

And for the record, I haven't seen Morgan nearly enough to comment on his game.

[JoeTwerp]

Adorjan has caught my eye a few times on LFCTV. Two good feet and a real eye for a pass.

I wasn't so sure when I first saw him last year, but he steadily improved last season and looks to have kicked on from what I saw in pre-season action.

[Brigor Cheyaore]

Thought Shelvey was excellent and he is a big lad too. Has a real eye for the defence splitting ball and finding a player in space - looks a real talent. Sterling looks like he should playing in the pool with his armbands on but then scythed down one of their lads, got some balls to go with his undoubted potential. Wilson also looked very accomplished on the ball and looks like he can be part of the first team squad straight away, outshone Ayala today.

Agreed with all of that, especially regarding Shelvey.  That was the first I'd seen of him and he was very impressive.  He made some great passes, and just as importantly made some quick decisions, very incisive for someone his age.  Defensively, he put himself about, especially early game, but still managed to avoid a yellow card.  Mascherano-esque in that regard.  Shelvey's also a big fucker and he isn't afraid to use his size, unlike some (Aquilani, for all his other qualities, comes to mind).  The only negative was that he got tired towards the end, but that's understandable in a friendly.  I only just watched the game after being gone for a few days, all the investment news must have overshadowed the game because I was expecting to find a lengthy thread on his performance.

The others more or less met expectations; Wilson looked composed with the ball but had a few mistakes and Sterling had a nice little run before his tackle attempt (I'm pretty sure I saw Irwin laughing in the background during the replay).  Did Suso even touch the ball?  I have to say, none of the other academy trained players (nor Ayala) really impressed.

[bigbear]

Will be interesting to see how the young reserve lads go tonight at Tranmere after last weeks beating at Luton. I believe it will be the same or very similar side. Still no Plessis/El Zhar who seem to be persona non grata. Another huge learning curve. I'd be tempted to play Ayala and maybe Wilson to give a bit of strength.

[Gus 1855]

Wonder if we may see one or two senior-ish players playing to get extra match fitness?

[Breitner]

I wasn't so sure when I first saw him last year, but he steadily improved last season and looks to have kicked on from what I saw in pre-season action.

I hate comparing these young lads to established players but he reminds me a lot of Ozil. Similar frame and style and takes up similar positions. He's down as a striker but he looks a lot more creative.

I caught a bit of the Academy show last night and saw Sterling absolutely tear Celtic apart. Super talent but tiny.

[Visigoth33]

I've seen a good bit of Morgan and he can finish, a real natural goalscorer.

seems to a good left peg and frame but not sure he has the pace that all strikers need.

[bigbear]

seems to a good left peg and frame but not sure he has the pace that all strikers need.

that is the question

[bigbear]

Wonder if we may see one or two senior-ish players playing to get extra match fitness?

I'd put two in just at the back even if it's ayala Wilson. I think it's the same side as at Luton though. I think a bit of strength in the middle might make it more of a game. I'm pleased that they seem to be exposing them to these games at early stages.

[JoeTwerp]

I would think Mavinga would play CB, no?  Probably alongside Wisdom

[JoeTwerp]

I hate comparing these young lads to established players but he reminds me a lot of Ozil. Similar frame and style and takes up similar positions. He's down as a striker but he looks a lot more creative.

I caught a bit of the Academy show last night and saw Sterling absolutely tear Celtic apart. Super talent but tiny.

I think Ozil plays much more aggressively than Adjoran.  Ozil is a force out on the pitch in attack, and will take people on if need be.  I think adjoran tries to avoid confrontation as much as possible, and is much more about feeding through the incisive ball or when receiving the ball deeper, spreading the play around.

[Maldini]

He reminds me of Litmanen

[Mr Dilkington]

Anyone have highlights of the youth team's tour of Scotland ?.

[Juan Loco]

Chance to watch a full 90 from Suso coming up at 7.

Please, please let's not go overboard with the lad too soon if he does well. He is 16. Even if he is a very special talent he probably won't be knocking on the door for another year and a bit, at least.

Ayala and Irwin going to be down the spine of the team so hopefully that'll solidify it a bit. Palsson too. Throw in Amoo and Ince and even Robinson, and half the side was away in Switzerland pre-season at least. Hopefully it's benefitted 'em.

Looking forward to seeing Wisdom against fully grown men because the lad is a beast.

[Escorcio]

               Bouzanis
Flanagan   Ayala   Wisdom   Robinson
Amoo        Irwin     Palsson    Ince
                               Suso
                    Saric

For tonight vs Tranmere

[Mikuss]

               Bouzanis
Flanagan   Ayala   Wisdom   Robinson
Amoo        Irwin     Palsson    Ince
                               Suso
                    Saric

For tonight vs Tranmere

Wasn't expecting Ince to start. Gutted i didn't go down to the game now, would love to see how Suso does.

Heres a stream for those without access to LFC.TV
http://www.ustream.tv/channel/zachtv37