Topic: Youth and Under 23 Thread

[Oskar]

We’ve been drawn in a group with Port Vale, Tranmere and Wigan in this season’s EFL Cup.

[HopefulRed]

There is a vid of the goalies training in Austria on the website.  It features the expected, Alisson, Adrian, Kelleher and Karius, but there is also another who I had wondered whether it was Grabara from a distance in earlier photos.  But no, and neither does it look like Jaros or orzynski, so I think it must be the new 16 year old who probably hasn’t got his playing registration yet, Fabian Mrozek.  That’ll be good for him. 

[Chrisfers]

Liverpool loanee Morgan Boyes starting for Fleetwood v Blackburn this afternoon. Game is on Blackburn's Youtube channel https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZQlD0p-0zII

[Fordy]

Under 23's played their 1st friendly today. Woodburn played as did Paul Glatzel and Abdi Sharif.

https://www.liverpoolfc.com/news/academy/406278-glatzel-and-sharif-strike-as-u23s-draw-2-2-with-tns as did

[Chrisfers]

Adam Lewis starting for Amiens in their ligue 2 match today

[NsRed]

Glatzel and Sharif with the goals today. Played TNS’ first team (who are preparing for Europa league qualifiers) and we battled back for a 2-2 draw.
Glatzel, Sharif, Cain, clarkson, Woodburn, Bearne, Jaros and Norris all featured. Haven’t seen the full lineup yet.

[dudleyred]

Glatzel and Sharif with the goals today. Played TNS’ first team (who are preparing for Europa league qualifiers) and we battled back for a 2-2 draw.
Glatzel, Sharif, Cain, clarkson, Woodburn, Bearne, Jaros and Norris all featured. Haven’t seen the full lineup yet.

Tried to find it on TNS website but found this instead

Due to Football Association  of Wales rules concerning fixtures of this nature, we can’t bring you the result. However, as you can see from Scott Ruscoe’s post-match reaction below, he was more than pleased with the performance.

What strange rule is that?! Can’t talk about a pre season friendly result?

[xbugawugax]

woodburn not joining the seniors on pre season kind of shows where he is in the pecking order.

[Lycan]

Woodburn and Wilson aren't going to make the grade for a Jurgen Klopp Liverpool side, unfortunately. No reason why they can't have a good career elsewhere though.

[HopefulRed]

Tried to find it on TNS website but found this instead

Due to Football Association  of Wales rules concerning fixtures of this nature, we can’t bring you the result. However, as you can see from Scott Ruscoe’s post-match reaction below, he was more than pleased with the performance.

What strange rule is that?! Can’t talk about a pre season friendly result?

Perhaps sides were using triallists and/or players who haven’t received their registration to play yet. 

[HopefulRed]

Woodburn and Wilson aren't going to make the grade for a Jurgen Klopp Liverpool side, unfortunately. No reason why they can't have a good career elsewhere though.

You are probably right but it’s wrong to write off Woodburn at 20.  Remember Salah was only good enough by 24 for us.  Most don’t make a direct path into the first team.  Coady took years away and is now a strong player in the Prem.  Ryan Kent may yet do the same.  Now I’m not saying they would get into the team now but that many players take some years gradually working their way back up but that doesn’t mean LFC should offload if they cannot make squad standard so young.    Sadly I fear that Woodburn’s problem may be more about being injury-prone. 

[Welshred]

Don't think Woodburn will ever be anything other than a Championship standard player personally.

[Chris~]

Woodburn needs a permanent move and a manager who'll help find a role for him in senior football. Kind of floated between  striler/winger/midfielder over the last few years.

[royhendo]

What about big Billy eh?

[Chig]

Anyone got updates on Adam Lewis's loan?? I know he played, but did he play well??

[newterp]

What about big Billy eh?

He’s got the makings of a star that’s for sure.

[Fordy]

Can we keep out these youth players won't make int in this thread?

Don't want to hear it to be honest. It's tough enough for any youth player as it is. I just want to know how well they're doing etc.

[Dan The Man 28373]

Anyone got updates on Adam Lewis's loan?? I know he played, but did he play well??

https://www.thisisanfield.com/2020/08/adam-lewis-seals-french-football-bow-with-opening-day-victory/

Seemed to do OK, given his relative lack of playing time.  Good luck to the boy, taking a chance with French 2nd division football.

[Oskar]

I’ve thought for a while that Swansea would be a good club for Woodburn. Wherever he ends up next season, hopefully he has much better luck with injuries than he did at Oxford.

Koumetio made the most of the minutes he was given yesterday and looked very comfortable stepping up against senior opposition for the first time. Definitely one to keep a close eye on.

[richmiller1]

What about big Billy eh?

That cameo certainly raised my eyebrow. Didn't expect him to be that big or gifted. Will be interesting watching him progress.

[HopefulRed]

Leyton Stewart gets a hatrick, along with goals for Tom Hill and newbie Musialski in an U18 5-0 win v Crewe A.  Short report on the official website.  It may be that that Stewart and Hill move up but only after a number of those training with the U23s go out on loan

[So… Howard Philips]

That cameo certainly raised my eyebrow. Didn't expect him to be that big or gifted. Will be interesting watching him progress.

I was really impressed with his desire to play the ball out from the back. And he can certainly head the ball.

Everton have been playing Branthwaite, who I think is 18, in the PL so the opportunity could be there for a talented 17 year old.

[Dundalis]

You are probably right but it’s wrong to write off Woodburn at 20.  Remember Salah was only good enough by 24 for us.  Most don’t make a direct path into the first team.  Coady took years away and is now a strong player in the Prem.  Ryan Kent may yet do the same.  Now I’m not saying they would get into the team now but that many players take some years gradually working their way back up but that doesn’t mean LFC should offload if they cannot make squad standard so young.    Sadly I fear that Woodburn’s problem may be more about being injury-prone.

Just because we decided to buy him at 24, doesn't mean he was only good enough for us at that age. We've bought plenty of players that could have made an impact before we bought them. Not really how it works. The problem with Woodburn and Wilson is pretty much purely about attributes. They are probably both talented enough to play for good teams in the Prem. But neither is suited to playing midfield, and as forwards, they simply don't have the physical profile to play for this team. As wingers they need to be athletic and quick, and I think even for a centre forward, ideally we'd also like someone with those physical attributes, but Firmino makes up for his lack of pace with supreme work rate, technical ability, vision, passing and the defensive ability of an actual midfielder. Curtis Jones is younger and can play the roles Woodburn plays, but is much more physically and technically gifted. Same with Elliot vs Wilson, but even there, I expect us to go and buy a player (i.e. Traore) that just fits the profile better.

[jillcwhomever]

Leyton Stewart gets a hatrick, along with goals for Tom Hill and newbie Musialski in an U18 5-0 win v Crewe A.  Short report on the official website.  It may be that that Stewart and Hill move up but only after a number of those training with the U23s go out on loan

Started the season how he means to go on. Surely its only a matter of time before he moves up?

[NsRed]

Leyton Stewart gets a hatrick, along with goals for Tom Hill and newbie Musialski in an U18 5-0 win v Crewe A.  Short report on the official website.  It may be that that Stewart and Hill move up but only after a number of those training with the U23s go out on loan

Thanks for the update. Hoping for a few more of these friendlies and maybe even some highlights soon.
I’d definitely expect a Stewart and Hill call up to the u23 side full time soon (Norris likewise). The likes of Woodburn, maybe even Glatzel and a few others will be out on loan by January imo. Feel like stewart is primed for a massive season and he’s already outgrown u18 football.

[NsRed]

Started the season how he means to go on. Surely its only a matter of time before he moves up?

Nailed on imo Jill. Stewart will be spending most of his time with the u23s once the season gets going and loan moves take shape. Would love to see him partner Glatzel up top for a while, Clarkson and Cain pulling strings from midfield...should be a fun year. Glad Sharif is back fit as well, great athlete who can play in multiple positions

[jillcwhomever]

Nailed on imo Jill. Stewart will be spending most of his time with the u23s once the season gets going and loan moves take shape. Would love to see him partner Glatzel up top for a while, Clarkson and Cain pulling strings from midfield...should be a fun year. Glad Sharif is back fit as well, great athlete who can play in multiple positions

Absolutely its pointless him staying in the u18's he needs to be tested a bit more. Him and Glatzel would be a really interesting partnership as each has different qualities. I liked what I saw from Sharif last season, he looks a very lively prospect and with Clarkson, Norris and Cain posssibly Hill too that u23 side would be well exciting.

[Fordy]

Absolutely its pointless him staying in the u18's he needs to be tested a bit more. Him and Glatzel would be a really interesting partnership as each has different qualities. I liked what I saw from Sharif last season, he looks a very lively prospect and with Clarkson, Norris and Cain posssibly Hill too that u23 side would be well exciting.

I like Stewart a lot but he needs to stay with the under 18's for now and play the odd under 23's/under 19' games.

We've Glatel, Hardy and Millar plus I am sure Elliot will play plenty of under 23 games.

Let Stewart stay were he is a play games. No need to rush him.

[Oskar]

Millar needs to be looking at a loan at the very least, he’s played first-team football in Scotland and is a full international with Canada, playing under-23 football for us isn’t going to do anything for his development.

I’d be surprised if Stewart and Norris aren’t involved regularly with the under-23s sooner rather than later, assuming the likes of Millar and Gallacher move on to play the regular first-team football that they need now.

[NsRed]

I like Stewart a lot but he needs to stay with the under 18's for now and play the odd under 23's/under 19' games.

We've Glatel, Hardy and Millar plus I am sure Elliot will play plenty of under 23 games.

Let Stewart stay were he is a play games. No need to rush him.

No one is rushing Stewart. It’s just where many think he’ll get the best quality competition for his development.Hardy and Millar are both expected to go on loan/sale. Elliot will play on the wing or in midfield. It’s not rushing Stewart to have him in the u23 setup. He’s 18 in a couple of weeks, scored at a goal-per-game rate last year and has the physical attributes to play older competition.

He’s closer in age to Cain and Clarkson (Who will be with the u23s) than the likes of Balagizi for example who’ll stay with the u18s. James Norris is 6 months younger than Stewart but played 5 times last season for the u23s, and he’s likely first choice LB for them this year.

I think it’s just where we are with our current academy personnel- both the u18 and 23 sides will be ‘younger’. Our back four at u23 level will likely be Hoever-Koumetio-VDB-Norris, all of whom are under 19. Cain, Clarkson, Dixon-Bonner will all feature regularly in midfield and are 18/19. Guys like Hardy and Millar (who were both brought in as stopgaps) are not going to prevent Stewart from getting valuable time in the PL2 year imo.

[Two-Headed Sex Beast]

Musialowski has posted some grainy footage of his highlights from today’s U18 game on his instagram story, and I don’t want to get ahead of myself but he looks mustard.

[Asam]

I like Stewart a lot but he needs to stay with the under 18's for now and play the odd under 23's/under 19' games.

We've Glatel, Hardy and Millar plus I am sure Elliot will play plenty of under 23 games.

Let Stewart stay were he is a play games. No need to rush him.

Hardy and Millar have zero chance of being Liverpool players for the first team, they deserve to go out on loan and find a decent club for themselves

Stewart is clearly a level or two better than u18s and it does him no good whatsoever to spend time beneath his true level, I would definitely like to see Glatzel and Stewart as a partnership

[Asam]

No one is rushing Stewart. It’s just where many think he’ll get the best quality competition for his development.Hardy and Millar are both expected to go on loan/sale. Elliot will play on the wing or in midfield. It’s not rushing Stewart to have him in the u23 setup. He’s 18 in a couple of weeks, scored at a goal-per-game rate last year and has the physical attributes to play older competition.

He’s closer in age to Cain and Clarkson (Who will be with the u23s) than the likes of Balagizi for example who’ll stay with the u18s. James Norris is 6 months younger than Stewart but played 5 times last season for the u23s, and he’s likely first choice LB for them this year.

I think it’s just where we are with our current academy personnel- both the u18 and 23 sides will be ‘younger’. Our back four at u23 level will likely be Hoever-Koumetio-VDB-Norris, all of whom are under 19. Cain, Clarkson, Dixon-Bonner will all feature regularly in midfield and are 18/19. Guys like Hardy and Millar (who were both brought in as stopgaps) are not going to prevent Stewart from getting valuable time in the PL2 year imo.

Yep, makes sense for Balagizi and the new polish lad to develop at u18s, u23s is already shaping up to be a fearsome side

[royhendo]

He’s got the makings of a star that’s for sure.

That cameo certainly raised my eyebrow. Didn't expect him to be that big or gifted. Will be interesting watching him progress.

I couldn't believe the physicality of him. Remember Andre Wisdom coming through and people thinking he would maybe hack it OK in the senior game? Curtis and this lad look capable of actually dominating older guys from a raw strength point of view, the way Troy Deeney bragged about in relation to Lovren earlier in the year.

You wonder how hard we'll work to fill the Lovren gap given the talent coming through the ranks in defence. And Klopp has previous for promoting 'early' across the back four.

[Trump's tiny tiny hands]

I couldn't believe the physicality of him. Remember Andre Wisdom coming through and people thinking he would maybe hack it OK in the senior game? Curtis and this lad look capable of actually dominating older guys from a raw strength point of view, the way Troy Deeney bragged about in relation to Lovren earlier in the year.

You wonder how hard we'll work to fill the Lovren gap given the talent coming through the ranks in defence. And Klopp has previous for promoting 'early' across the back four.

I was prepared for the height but not the overall size of him and I was certainly not prepared for how balanced and agile he was. Van den Berg looks clunky and awkward still, so I expected similar from Koumetio.

[tubby]

Has anyone seen Koumetio playing for the youth teams?  Couldn't get a good idea of how quick he is in that limited time on the pitch, pace is such a crucial part of our defensive approach.

[HopefulRed]

I had said a few days ago that there was a 5th goalie training with the firsts and wondered if it was the new U18s Fabian mrozek (or similar).  Now the Echo reveal it is a 19 year old Spaniard, Javi Cendon, on trial.  We seem to be stockpiling goalies.

[suede lady]

I was prepared for the height but not the overall size of him and I was certainly not prepared for how balanced and agile he was. Van den Berg looks clunky and awkward still, so I expected similar from Koumetio.

Is he taller than Van Dijk? Someone mentioned that but I have not seen the game.

[Asam]

Is he taller than Van Dijk? Someone mentioned that but I have not seen the game.

Koumetio is 2CM taller than Virgil

[Chris~]

I had said a few days ago that there was a 5th goalie training with the firsts and wondered if it was the new U18s Fabian mrozek (or similar).  Now the Echo reveal it is a 19 year old Spaniard, Javi Cendon, on trial.  We seem to be stockpiling goalies.

Always find the amount of goalkeepers we stockpile in the u23s and u18s crazy.