Topic: Youth and Under 23 Thread

[Fromola]

I find it strange they aren't playing him for the u23s yet. He is already 18 and as you say not much more he can do at this level.

Especially when we've just loaned a 17 year old to The Championship.

[jillcwhomever]

I find it strange they aren't playing him for the u23s yet. He is already 18 and as you say not much more he can do at this level.

I assumed he would move up once the loans had been completed. He needs the challenge of the next step up to be honest.

[HopefulRed]

Are academy matches all going to stop during the coming lockdown does anyone know

[Fromola]

I haven't watched the Academy teams for ages, is there anyone coming through attacking wise that could push the first team this season given number of games etc?

Given that Brewster has gone, Wilson and Elliott loaned out and Origi out of favour and lost his way somewhat. There's an opening there if someone can really step up like Jones and Neco did last season.

[PeterTheRed ...]

I haven't watched the Academy teams for ages, is there anyone coming through attacking wise that could push the first team this season given number of games etc?

Given that Brewster has gone, Wilson and Elliott loaned out and Origi out of favour and lost his way somewhat. There's an opening there if someone can really step up like Jones and Neco did last season.

Origi has started for us in the Champions League 5 days ago.

[Fordy]

I haven't watched the Academy teams for ages, is there anyone coming through attacking wise that could push the first team this season given number of games etc?

Given that Brewster has gone, Wilson and Elliott loaned out and Origi out of favour and lost his way somewhat. There's an opening there if someone can really step up like Jones and Neco did last season.

Gauzi if he can stay fit and get a run of games. Cain, Clarkson, SVB. Stewart maybe..Millar could be in with an outside shot. Hardy is in the PL squad.

It's difficult because we are out of the League Cup now, so depending on the FA Cup draw that's when some youth might get a a chance. The likes of Cain and other named in the CL squad might get a run out when we hopefully qualify.

[Welshred]

Are academy matches all going to stop during the coming lockdown does anyone know

Nobody knows, there's no guidance as yet so will find out in the next few days. General consensus from the club I work for is that U23s should be fine, under 18s might be as well but anything below that may stop.

[dakid]

Origi has started for us in the Champions League 5 days ago.

He did and he was poor. He wasn't even on the bench again at the weekend as he hasn't been for the last three league games. If he can't even make the bench with all the injuries we have at the moment I think it's fair to say he is out of favour.

[phil236849]

Big word up to our youth structure tonight. TAA, Jones and Williams x 2 shining in a great CL away performance. Keep em coming lads

[Hedley Lamarr]

Big word up to our youth structure tonight. TAA, Jones and Williams x 2 shining in a great CL away performance. Keep em coming lads

Aye, they're doing us proud.

[mallin9]

Harry Wilson scored a screamer tonight too

[Welshred]

Are academy matches all going to stop during the coming lockdown does anyone know

Nobody knows, there's no guidance as yet so will find out in the next few days. General consensus from the club I work for is that U23s should be fine, under 18s might be as well but anything below that may stop.

We've now had news, one day before the weekend games as the government, FA, EFL and PL all make timely decisions. I know some PL academies who still haven't had any information! Under 16s and Under 18s allowed to continue as per the elite sports exemptions. Luckily the club are a cat 1 academy so all their activity below U16s can continue as well, as can cat 2 academies, cat 3 academies have infuriatingly been cut adrift and have to stop all activity from under 16 level!

[jillcwhomever]

That's great news.

[HopefulRed]

Good win for the U23s away to West Ham this afternoon, 4-2.  More minutes and a goal for Glatzel.  Another for Longstaff who really has been used is so many positions since U18s.  Our U23s are having a good season so far without an out and out striker (no Joe Hardy, Glatzel injured).  They usually have a much more disjointed season with players dropping down on and off.  I think they’ve benefitted from some consistency in selection except perhaps at full back, esp with Lewis and Gallacger on loan and Norris injured.  I hope some of the older ones get a good loan I. January as a result, and eg Leyton Stewart can move up.  I expect Stewart and some of the other younger U23s might play in the U19 champions league games. 

[HopefulRed]

... and tomorrow’s U18 away to Wolves at 1.00 pm will be on lfc tv. 

[HopefulRed]

Got that wrong.  It’s only on lfctv go

[xbugawugax]

glatzel back scoring and billy back on the pitch.

any centre back that is fit is a positive for us now.  where does billy and van der berg rank now with Nat and rhys taking their chances with both hands?

[dudleyred]

glatzel back scoring and billy back on the pitch.

any centre back that is fit is a positive for us now.  where does billy and van der berg rank now with Nat and rhys taking their chances with both hands?

I think Billy likely behind Williams but ahead of Phillips

Phillips did great but he had one foot out the door pre season and klopp seems to love Billy the kid

[Fordy]

I think Billy likely behind Williams but ahead of Phillips

Phillips did great but he had one foot out the door pre season and klopp seems to love Billy the kid

Rubbish.

Not for this season. Please understand that players are allowed to make their own decisions. Elliott is on loan because he wanted too. Wilson on loan because he wanted too. Phillips was leaving because he wanted too. Nothing to do with Klopp.

The order will be like this for the PL - Phillips, Williams, SVB and Billy. This doesn't mean Klopp doesn't rate Billy because he does but Billy can get to play more games for the Under 23's and other age groups.

Phillips has the most experience and it makes sense him being ahead at this moment. Williams is in the CL squad so will be ahead of SVB and Billy.

[dudleyred]

Rubbish.

Not for this season. Please understand that players are allowed to make their own decisions. Elliott is on loan because he wanted too. Wilson on loan because he wanted too. Phillips was leaving because he wanted too. Nothing to do with Klopp.

The order will be like this for the PL - Phillips, Williams, SVB and Billy. This doesn't mean Klopp doesn't rate Billy because he does but Billy can get to play more games for the Under 23's and other age groups.

Phillips has the most experience and it makes sense him being ahead at this moment. Williams is in the CL squad so will be ahead of SVB and Billy.

I just don't see it like that at all. Billy was head of all pre season i think and that was reflected in the fact he was with the squad and starting friendlies

Not much in it between Williams and Phillips I wouldn't say but they're different players. Phillips more experienced but we were prepared to let him go

SVB was he injured? If not he's regressed as he'd surely have played during the injury crisis

[El Lobo]

I think Billy likely behind Williams but ahead of Phillips

Phillips did great but he had one foot out the door pre season and klopp seems to love Billy the kid

You’d think so considering their relative place in the pecking order during pre season, and Billy is probably more ‘mouldable’ into the sort of CB Klopp likes in terms of playing out from the back. But you never know, Phillips certainly took his chance and we’ve seen how important that is too with our youngsters.

But this is all academic. Please understand, Mr Bean has spoken. After his track record from the summer I think we can all agree....Fordy knows 

[Goalposts for Jumpers]

I just don't see it like that at all. Billy was head of all pre season i think and that was reflected in the fact he was with the squad and starting friendlies

Not much in it between Williams and Phillips I wouldn't say but they're different players. Phillips more experienced but we were prepared to let him go

SVB was he injured? If not he's regressed as he'd surely have played during the injury crisis

You’d think so considering their relative place in the pecking order during pre season, and Billy is probably more ‘mouldable’ into the sort of CB Klopp likes in terms of playing out from the back. But you never know, Phillips certainly took his chance and we’ve seen how important that is too with our youngsters.

But this is all academic. Please understand, Mr Bean has spoken. After his track record from the summer I think we can all agree....Fordy knows 

I wouldn't read too much into pre-season, Klopp already knew what Phillips could do as he'd played 20-odd professional games. Pre-season would have been used to see what Billy can offer playing against men, and though he might be seen to have the higher ceiling and therefore long-term potential, Phillips, right now, is probably seen as the more ready (less risky) player. I would think Phillips will be above Billy in the pecking order. Especially against the yard-dog bullies of the league. Can't be sure though. Rhys has come out of nowhere, so no idea where he fits in.

[dudleyred]

I wouldn't read too much into pre-season, Klopp already knew what Phillips could do as he'd played 20-odd professional games. Pre-season would have been used to see what Billy can offer playing against men, and though he might be seen to have the higher ceiling and therefore long-term potential, Phillips, right now, is probably seen as the more ready (less risky) player. I would think Phillips will be above Billy in the pecking order. Especially against the yard-dog bullies of the league. Can't be sure though. Rhys has come out of nowhere, so no idea where he fits in.

All fair comments

I think you're right if we were playing Burnley at home tomorrow it would be a toss up between Phillips and Williams based on next fixtures etc. I think Billy would have been there had it not been for his injury.

Id be surprised if Phillips was here next year and that will leave Williams and Billy fighting it out for the development minutes with hopefully 3 fully fit CBs ahead of them

[Chris~]

Koumetio needs a fair bit more time with the u23s or a loan before he'd be a genuine choice at the back. He's barely played any u18 football, the jump from that to seniors is huge for any player let alone a centre back.

[sminp]

Think Phillips is the first choice out of those 4 for this season due to experience but I still think he’ll leave at the end of the season and that Williams and Koumetio are seen as the top 2 choices once they’ve gathered some experience. I’d say perhaps Koumetio ahead of Williams because he was taken for pre-season with the first team although Williams’ performances may have brought him alongside Koumetio in the thinking. Van den Berg I’m not so sure on, he’s clearly a talented lad considering he got game time in the Eredivisie before moving here but he seems to have dropped behind Williams and Koumetio in the thinking.

[Kadafi]

It seems to be a fluid situation, one minute Phillips was looking to move on, the next opportunity came knocking. If we beat Atalanta at home, I'd expect to see an appearance from one or maybe both Billy and VDB in the final group games, be it on the pitch or the bench.

There are reservations with playing each of the four, whether it's inexperience, skillset or trust, but all of them also have attributes that could potentially lead to having long-term futures at the club

Quite a few were down on VDB, but having watched him so far this season he seems to have settled. He's playing like a man as opposed to a fish out of water as was the case at times last year.

[reddebs]

U18s 1-0 Up but I missed who scored.

[Gods_Left_Boot]

U18s 1-0 Up but I missed who scored.

Stewart apparently.

[reddebs]

Stewart apparently.

[emoji106]

[reddebs]

Have we had someone sent off?

[jillcwhomever]

Stewart apparently.

Who else? 

[jillcwhomever]

1-1 now. The Wolves goalie has kept them in this game with some very good saves.

[jillcwhomever]

2-1 to Wolves now, I am afraid the goalie made an error.

[HopefulRed]

Have we had someone sent off?

Luca Stephenson.  Tried to save a shot on goal with his hands.  Silly boy. 

[reddebs]

Ah it's all part of the learning and from the bits I caught it was one of those games.

[Dim Glas]

Klopp said something recently about Billy being in quarantine...

After the game yesterday he said Billy will be back in training this week.

he did.


Quotes are in here, some other good stuff about the U23s too now training with the first team.

[jillcwhomever]

Ah it's all part of the learning and from the bits I caught it was one of those games.

It was, we made a number of chances but their goalie played very well today. Layton had a few which he hit really well but the goalkeeper was equal to them. Such is life, they will learn and move forward.

[HopefulRed]

Agree with Fordy.  Phillips, Williams, VdB, Koumetio.  I think taking him on pre-season was to give him a bit of a lift having missed so much time, and because he has talent.  Not because he was being being fast tracked into the first team squad.  It’s also often a test of character to go up to Melwood, and then come down.  As others have said, Koumetio has not played much senior footie.  Got injured in the U18s, only just coming back to play in the U23s.  Phillips has much more senior experience, and so does Williams.  Interestingly, while it doesn’t always mean much, Williams has just moved up into the senior squad list on lfc website, so expect him to stay training with them for at least most of this season.  Sepp is finally making good progress according to the commentators on the U18 match today, who quoted Lewtas, but he was definitely struggling to adapt for a lot of last season.  He has been playing regularly for the U23s this season and I think that regularity has helped.  Not sure which squad he is training with. 

[HopefulRed]

Lfc U21 lose 4-2 to Port Vale tonight.  2 goals for Millar.  joe Hardy gets some minutes on return from injury.

[mallin9]

hellooooo is this where one would go for Billy Koumetio theme music?

Any sign of him making the step up to first team squad now?  ...is he out injured?

Cheers