Topic: Youth and Under 23 Thread

[Hidegkuti]

What a fantastic day for the academy - absolute credit to the effort that has been going on behind the scenes.

5 players from the academy starting at Anfield in addition to an academy graduate who has made himself a rotation option in the first team - and all of them showed signs of exactly why they were given a first team shirt.

Of course not every player will make it here but the fact that the players coming from the academy are of the same profile as the first team means that as and when required they can slot into the first team without significant drop off. This is what Ferguson’s Utd team were so good at - and only achievable if you have a few years of stability of manager.

Regarding those who played today:

- Kaide looks like a potential superstar in the making - and I’ve thought that the first time I saw him kick a ball for the 18s - kid just has it

- Bradley looks like he’s developing into a very good attacking FB (he’s never gonna be Trent - but who is?) looks like a Robbo style FB - up and down all day and with good end product - once he physically matures I think he’ll be really good - has a really high ceiling

- Dixon Bonner was really good today and much better than I expected - actually played really well when he played further up (swapped position with Curtis). As someone above mentioned, we were worse after he went off, which given we brought on more established players, is a heck of a compliment. However, given his age, he may need to go out and actually get game time to give him the best chance

- Tyler seems to have seamlessly adapted to adult football and I guess the fact the manager puts him in against Milan away says it all - absolutely love how he’s always scanning over his shoulder before receiving the ball - amazing to think if Cain and Clarkson hadn’t gone out on loan he probably wouldn’t have got a minute for the first team

- Woltman probably found it the most difficult out of the lot but fundamentally he was playing one of the most difficult positions in out team (which everyone other than Bobby has struggles) - but still had some lovely touches

Special mention to the lovely cameo by Frauendorf - lots of tenacity, put himself about, pressed well and when he got on the ball showed some lovely moments of quality

Up the amazing academy reds!!!🔴 🔴 🔴

And to think we also have Beck, Balagizi etc who could easily have played today 👏

[newterp]

It's not about what you expect, it's about being positive about our youth players as they live the dream. What the hell use is 'realism' in this? Where does it get us? By us I mean fans and supporters.

If we can't be hopeful and full of joy and dreams for our young players at a time when they have barely even begun their adult careers, then when can we? There'll be plenty of buckets of cold realism that they, and we, will have to face later down the line,

But I see I'm alone in this. The FM-isation of football support is nearly complete and everyone now thinks they're scouts and managers giving their 'expert opinion' that a player whose career has barely started won't make it. Pretty dismal state of affairts, really.

I think some of it comes from getting to see these players much more often now due to LFC TV, social media, etc. So players that are talked up aren't a mystery like they may have been even 15 years ago. I don't think anyone isn't really excited or positive about them, however. Or at least not that I can see.

The other aspect of it is that Klopp is a coach that will readily give youth a shot to impress, and it hasn't happened yet for Dixon-Bonner (for example).  I thought the same thing today when I saw him - good player and some good skill - but he wasn't dominating a Shrewsbury team that's two leagues below Liverpool. I don't read that as denigrating the kid or even writing him off as he may still carve out a nice career in football.

It's hard to make it here. Very, very, very hard, really.

[Coolie High]

I don’t think the academy is particularly special at the minute, we have one or two players who could possibly make it but not quite a stand out talent as we’ve had from other eras, bar maybe Gordon, the best policy as it’s been for years is still to get one or two of the most promising 15-17 year olds from lower academies but still there are a few academies in this league who tend to produce higher level of homegrown players in my opinion.

[kesey]

A young lad from Barons Hey came on today.

[xbugawugax]

I don’t think the academy is particularly special at the minute, we have one or two players who could possibly make it but not quite a stand out talent as we’ve had from other eras, bar maybe Gordon, the best policy as it’s been for years is still to get one or two of the most promising 15-17 year olds from lower academies but still there are a few academies in this league who tend to produce higher level of homegrown players in my opinion.

who other than gordon do you think might make it? as with most youth we do tend to overrate our own but then almost all of us here would love to see most of our youth make the step up. A boost for other players in the youth team as well.

that said past few seasons we have made a pretty good deal out of selling our promising but not just quite good enough prospects. See brewster and solanke.

The not quite stand out talents did enough so far to be honest this season. Stepping up and filling in as and when needed. they be solid squad players that might save us a few quid if decide to stay. The likes of kelleher, neco, bradley, beck, morton and dixon bonners are also keeping us competitive in all competitions.

[Chris~]

For Dixon-Bonner it was a good shop window game. Couldn't get a loan in the summer and was out on trial. Now he gets two games with first team players for us and hopefully has done enough to get decent interest. For most players it's going to be about getting luck/chances like that which can change your career direction

[Chris~]

I don’t think the academy is particularly special at the minute, we have one or two players who could possibly make it but not quite a stand out talent as we’ve had from other eras, bar maybe Gordon, the best policy as it’s been for years is still to get one or two of the most promising 15-17 year olds from lower academies but still there are a few academies in this league who tend to produce higher level of homegrown players in my opinion.

I think the standard level of talent coming through is higher than it was a few years ago.

[Fromola]

I don’t think the academy is particularly special at the minute, we have one or two players who could possibly make it but not quite a stand out talent as we’ve had from other eras, bar maybe Gordon, the best policy as it’s been for years is still to get one or two of the most promising 15-17 year olds from lower academies but still there are a few academies in this league who tend to produce higher level of homegrown players in my opinion.

Chelsea are the standard bearer for youth talent, if not for actually bringing them through to their first team. City are starting to bring a few a high quality in as well, although it's the hardest first team to break into - you need to be a Foden-level talent.

We've always got a few squad gaps, so the opportunities for progression are more readily there.

Our best young talents are Gordon and Elliot who were elite talents we signed at 15-16. We should be making a couple of those every year. They won't all come off but it saves you a fortune in the long run and even a Solanke or Brewster who don't make it here can still fetch you good money in a sale.

[phil236849]

I think the standard level of talent coming through is higher than it was a few years ago.

Quite obviously so.  We may not have 10 worldies on tap, but look at the number of decent players coming through including those for whom we have got fees for

[tubby]

It's always tricky when it comes to your own youth players, isn't it.  We tend to overrated ours because it's always great when someone does break through.  Of the current crop, I think Morton, Bradley and Gordon look the most promising.  Musialowski has something about him but I'm not convinced he'll make it at the top level.

[Sinyoro]

There will be the clear standout talents with high probability of succeeding- Elliot is the only one in this bracket for me.

There will be others who are clearly talented and people have high 'hopes' for- Gordon, Bradley, Morton and Musialowski

Then there is a group that tends to go under the radar and blossom explosively at a later stage, only for people to start questioning the wisdom of doubting them in the first place, see how Chelsea let go of Salah, Lukaku- how not many thought much about Van Dijk early in his career.

In this bracket I put this lad for us- Frauendorf - watch out for this lad.

[disgraced cake]

What a fantastic day for the academy - absolute credit to the effort that has been going on behind the scenes.

There's been plenty of great days for the academy in recent years, that's for sure. I'm one of those who will always really want to see the strongest team we can go for but with a significant drop off in opposition quality it's always nice to see young players come in and get their first starts. Thought the young lads done well yesterday, Gordon was lively in the first half and his goal was excellent, Bradley looked much improved from a difficult 45 minutes against Leicester, and Dixon Bonner impressed me throughout. Woltman struggled for involvement but you'd expect that against experienced professional footballers whatever league they play in. Glad Frauendorf got his senior debut because I've been very impressed by him.

There's plenty of these players to have high hopes for, of course we all want them to succeed. Elliot will get the chance to impress because Klopp loves him and will clearly give him games. Gordon was brought in for what might look a small fee going forward but is really an investment in what we believe he can do, to have even played two matches and score a goal for Liverpool at his age is crazy and while it doesn't guarantee anything going forward there's signs to suggest he's going to be a fine player. Frauendorf personally gives me the look of someone who can be a fine forward if he gets the chances  in the future. I think it's the most exciting set up we've had at academy level in years, but patience will be key of course.

[Fromola]

Quite obviously so.  We may not have 10 worldies on tap, but look at the number of decent players coming through including those for whom we have got fees for

Our big returns have generally been those we've signed at 15-17 (Ibe, Sterling, Brewster, Solanke), although the major first team success has been Trent who has come through the ranks. Curtis Jones as well. The biggest prospects now have been in that 15-17 signing demographic (Gordon and Elliot).

We've got the edge back on Everton considerably when it comes to the best local talent though. Gordon looks decent but he wouldn't be near our team, same with shite like Tom Davies and Jonjoe Kenny. There's opportunities to get games at Liverpool but to stay in the first team and play a regular game is a very high bar.

[Coolie High]

who other than gordon do you think might make it? as with most youth we do tend to overrate our own but then almost all of us here would love to see most of our youth make the step up. A boost for other players in the youth team as well.

that said past few seasons we have made a pretty good deal out of selling our promising but not just quite good enough prospects. See brewster and solanke.

The not quite stand out talents did enough so far to be honest this season. Stepping up and filling in as and when needed. they be solid squad players that might save us a few quid if decide to stay. The likes of kelleher, neco, bradley, beck, morton and dixon bonners are also keeping us competitive in all competitions.

I really like Musialowski, I feel if he would have played yesterday there’s chances he would have looked like the most dangerous player on the pitch, easily the best dribbler in the youth team and always backs himself to have a go at defenders which I really like from him. Problem with him like a lot of players games which is first and foremost based around his natural ability his dribbling and close control, you sometimes feel like he struggles overall with the tactical side of things, in comparison to Kaide Gordon who is very much Sterling like with his ability to read the game, he might even have a bit less natural ability than Musialowski overall but his brain and extra tiny bit of athleticism might stand him in better stead going forward.

He also seems to have rotten luck with his timing, always seems to get injured or have an illness just when he would get games for the first team, happened last summer pre season and has happened again yesterday with him missing out (probably due to Covid) he surely would have played because most of the lads who did aren’t at a more advance level than him, with clubs as big as ours timing is everything and it’s these little things that can make it harder for you in the long run.

Apart from that though I would say him Balagizi and Gordon are easily the three most talented lads we have in that u23/ first team belt, at U18 level probably Bobby Clark who we just signed from Newcastle in the summer who came with a big reputation, and Oakley Cannonier who has like 15 goals in 11 appearances and is a goal machine at that level, but I have doubts about his physicality overall, especially in the forward role he’s played this season, for a couple of these lads even including Musialowski, if they were a couple inches taller and a couple ya4s faster I would have bigger hopes overall.

Bajcetic who we signed from Celta Vigo is a quality footballer also, he has as good of a chance as anyone not named Gordon to make it here, either as a DM or CB.

[MrGrumpy]

Maybe the youth teams are not brimming with high quality players at the moment, but when are they ever? A generation passed between Stevie G and Alexander-Arnold breaking through.

However, the youth team are now producing players good enough to fill gaps in the squad that would once have been filled by purchases. Even if Neco Williams, Rhys Williams, Morton et al don’t become first team legends, they will make us a tidy profit. For this reason, I think the youth team is doing ok.

[MD1990]

Look at the profit we have made from selling players.
Our academy is doing very well.

Yes we dont have the athletes that Chelsea have for instance but they have more money & a bigger pool to pick from.

[disgraced cake]

Maybe the youth teams are not brimming with high quality players at the moment, but when are they ever? A generation passed between Stevie G and Alexander-Arnold breaking through.

However, the youth team are now producing players good enough to fill gaps in the squad that would once have been filled by purchases. Even if Neco Williams, Rhys Williams, Morton et al don’t become first team legends, they will make us a tidy profit. For this reason, I think the youth team is doing ok.

That's true, and those two are perfect examples of what the quality has to be like these days to break into this Liverpool team. Generally speaking, to me it seems like less academy talents are coming through to become first teamers all over the place these days, largely due to the resources even the 'smaller' teams have right now. It's never been harder to succeed.

I'm reminded of the Villa game in the League Cup a couple of years back, where we had to play the kids. They might have been comfortably beaten but they gave a great account of themselves and the club. Most people recognised this but I was baffled to see afterwards the amount of takes that read something similar to, "most of these will never make it at Liverpool." Well yeah, that's generally how it works, isn't it? If two or three of them 'make it' here, we've done well.

[jillcwhomever]

The under 23's are playing tonight against Derby, it's on LFC Go and LFC TV for those who've got it. We get another look at Frauendorf who features.

[reddebs]

The under 23's are playing tonight against Derby, it's on LFC Go and LFC TV for those who've got it. We get another look at Frauendorf who features.

I've just been trying to get that up on mine but it was showing Goal Rush instead but maybe I was too early if it's only just kicking off.

[jillcwhomever]

I've just been trying to get that up on mine but it was showing Goal Rush instead but maybe I was too early if it's only just kicking off.

I'm just about to try it myself, that's weird because it says it on both on the official website.

[jillcwhomever]

I've just been trying to get that up on mine but it was showing Goal Rush instead but maybe I was too early if it's only just kicking off.

It's on my tv now.

[reddebs]

I'm just about to try it myself, that's weird because it says it on both on the official website.

It's on now Jill, I was probably too early even though it was saying it was currently live.

[jillcwhomever]

It's on now Jill, I was probably too early even though it was saying it was currently live.

They have made a good start Clarkson controlling midfield.

[reddebs]

They have made a good start Clarkson controlling midfield.

It's good to actually have some academy football to watch for a change.  I think all I've seen so far this season has been the European games.

There's a few making their 23s debut by the sound of it which just shows how depleted we are as I think Derby is doing well this season so no pushovers.

[jillcwhomever]

It's good to actually have some academy football to watch for a change.  I think all I've seen so far this season has been the European games.

There's a few making their 23s debut by the sound of it which just shows how depleted we are as I think Derby is doing well this season so no pushovers.

They have just said seven Academy players have had first team football this season, pretty impressive, Frauendorf and Balagizi have been exciting.

[reddebs]

They have just said seven Academy players have had first team football this season, pretty impressive, Frauendorf and Balagizi have been exciting.

That run from Frauendorf just then 

Yeah it's impressive how much we've been able to rely on so many.

[jillcwhomever]

That run from Frauendorf just then 

Yeah it's impressive how much we've been able to rely on so many.

He is very exciting and direct. It'll be interesting to see how Layton Stewart does when he comes back. Because of the injury a couple have crept in front of him, but he's a natural finisher and deserves a bit of luck.

[reddebs]

He is very exciting and direct. It'll be interesting to see how Layton Stewart does when he comes back. Because of the injury a couple have crept in front of him, but he's a natural finisher and deserves a bit of luck.

Injuries are the one thing that scuppers a lot of players at this stage of their careers, so not being available when the opportunity arises opens up a space for someone else.

Getting back into your rhythm after a long lay off is also about mental strength too.

[jillcwhomever]

Injuries are the one thing that scuppers a lot of players at this stage of their careers, so not being available when the opportunity arises opens up a space for someone else.

Getting back into your rhythm after a long lay off is also about mental strength too.

Definitely he’s got a vital pre-season up ahead maybe a couple of games if he’s lucky.

Owen Beck has been good tonight always up there. Getting closer.

[reddebs]

Definitely he’s got a vital pre-season up ahead maybe a couple of games if he’s lucky.

Owen Beck has been good tonight always up there. Getting closer.

It feels a bit like "one of those games" where we're creating loads but nothing's working, yet.  One thing with our lads though is they're fitter than most and score a lot of late goals.

Mini Mentality Monsters 

[jillcwhomever]

You were saying? 😀

[jillcwhomever]

That was a lovely pass by Norris in that move.

[reddebs]

You were saying? 😀

 

Whoever it is upending our players all the time on our left needs a serious talking to by the ref if he's not going to book them.  It's getting ridiculous now and no wonder our lads are getting frustrated with it.

[jillcwhomever]

Whoever it is upending our players all the time on our left needs a serious talking to by the ref if he's not going to book them.  It's getting ridiculous now and no wonder our lads are getting frustrated with it.

Is it the same one who keeps getting soft free kicks?

[reddebs]

Is it the same one who keeps getting soft free kicks?

That's the one.

[jillcwhomever]

That looks a nasty injury for the Derby lad.

[reddebs]

That looks a nasty injury for the Derby lad.

Yeah he was getting treatment for ages.

[jillcwhomever]

That 16 year old Bobby Clarke has got a good turn on him. 😀

[Hazell]

That 16 year old Bobby Clarke has got a good turn on him. 😀

Is that Lee Clark's lad? How did he do?

[jillcwhomever]

Is that Lee Clark's lad? How did he do?

I'm not sure, he came on right at the end and did a beautiful turn to make a really good chance. Yes, he is the one.