Topic: James McConnell

[ScouserAtHeart]

Played pretty well in his first start. Got an assist and got stuck in with a few tackles as well.

Deserves his own thread at least

[SerbianScouser]

Our Academy is slightly ridiculous.

[WhereAngelsPlay]

Played pretty well in his first start. Got an assist and got stuck in with a few tackles as well.

Deserves his own thread at least

Pffft, couldn't even last 80 minutes.

[MonsLibpool]

You can tell that he has a pass in him. He made that assist with his "weaker" foot.

[RedG13]

His two footedness stood out in the preseason also. He looks super impressive.
I would like know how tall he is but doesnt seem to be an issue at all for the 6 role at this point

[MrGrumpy]

Really good first start. Hopefully we see more of him.

[Boaty McBoatface]

What a dream start for McConnell. Well done young man.

[Asam]

He’s very good, definitely another one who looks like he’s got everything you need, didn’t let the occasional phase him at all

[Knight]

He looks like he’s 14. Played like he’s 25.

[HeartAndSoul]

Remember when we signed him he was very highly rated. Can see why. Put on a bit of muscle and we’ve got another one for the squad. Academy is doing brilliantly to produce these players and hats off to klopp for giving them a chance. Hopefully whoever follows klopp keeps giving the young players their chance to shine.

[gerrardisgod]

Very old school midfielder. Loved it.

[McrRed]

Loved his Thiago-esque turns and feints. Very classy on the ball and an assist to help him on the way! Hope he recovers quickly and can play some part in us closing out the season.
Well done, lad.

[art03]

Just from the highlights, what I like most about our team atm is that everyone is rooting for these young lads that are coming through. Curtis made it a point to highlight his contribution when celebrating the goal and you can see everyone was made up for him with his assist. It goes to show how much we've developed as an organization as a whole together.

[BobPaisley3]

Suitably impressed. Young academy graduates are going to be so important between now and the end of the season. Jurgen needs to know that if he rests his top lads, players like McConnell, Clark, Bradley etc can come in, hold the fort and negotiate such games, usually cup you’d imagine. Well done!

[afc tukrish]

Loved his Thiago-esque turns and feints. Very classy on the ball and an assist to help him on the way! Hope he recovers quickly and can play some part in us closing out the season.
Well done, lad.

Did you not love the mild distress on his face when talking to Klopp after he came off?

Like, "it's no big deal, I'm good, Boss..."

[mattD]

With game increasing by the shedload seemingly every season, McConnell is proof that a great youth academy isn't just a benefit in todays game, but an essential prerequisite if you want to succeed.

We will need all the players we can get for next season, and if the academy is producing stand outs like James, then we'll be alright.

Today was a fantastic performance from the lad. Him and a few others are exemplifying everything we wanted from a youth system. A long time coming, and may the club keep producing a pipeline of talent.

[gazzalfc]

The lad loves a slide tackle. Got 2 right but got one slightly wrong.

Probably not on the level of Bradley or Quansah yet but again so much potential

[classycarra]

Fantastic passing technique. Puts himself about as much as he can. Receives the ball under pressure well, and one touch passes under pressure on both feet.

Also wasnt just moving close to the CBs to receive easy passes and make easy passes. When the opportunity was there, he was moving beyond the other two more advnaced midfielders and forcing Norwich to consider him rather than pressing the ball. Got nous to go with the very serious technical ability.

Insert that Klopp quote about Morton 'if he can get a body, he'll have a good career' type of thing

[TipTopKop]

Well done to the lad. Klopp's doing wonders developing the next generation, on his way out.

[Fordy]

Well done!

Pleased for him

[classycarra]

by the way, he did great lasting as long into the game as he did - such a step up to adult game and the fitness required to keep it up for a game. he was puffing on about 50 minutes, so he clearly dug very very deep! thought he was about to puke at one point about five or so minutes before the sub (good work from Trent as vice captain making sure he sat down)

[stoa]

Just from the highlights, what I like most about our team atm is that everyone is rooting for these young lads that are coming through. Curtis made it a point to highlight his contribution when celebrating the goal and you can see everyone was made up for him with his assist. It goes to show how much we've developed as an organization as a whole together.

Also loved how the players were there for him when he came off and looked absolutely fucked. Big Virg was wildly gesticulating to the bench telling them, that McConnell is fucked and has to come off. And then afterwards when he was walking off Szobo came over to talk to him and Gakpo also gave him a quick hug.

[The Final Third]

Our Academy is slightly ridiculous.

Yep

[tubby]

He played well, but Norwich weren't really much of a test and he had a lot more time on the ball than he would in a league game.  Thought he passed it really well, and the assist being with his wrong foot was really encouraging.  Maybe a loan next season to get him used to playing against men.

[lamonti]

Well done to the lad. Klopp's doing wonders developing the next generation, on his way out.

Alex Inglethorpe is the main man at the academy and always comes across well when he talks if you ask me.

He's instilled the cultured and seems to have constantly hired good coaches like Michael Beale, Neil Critchley, Gary O'Neil, Pep Lijnders to name some.

Has been great to see the standard of academy lads playing gradually rise when they hit the first team. Also I think it's important to seed in a few at a time, rather than chucking out a team that's 60% kids against men. Doesn't ever really work.

[mattD]

Alex Inglethorpe is the main man at the academy and always comes across well when he talks if you ask me.

He's instilled the cultured and seems to have constantly hired good coaches like Michael Beale, Neil Critchley, Gary O'Neil, Pep Lijnders to name some.

Has been great to see the standard of academy lads playing gradually rise when they hit the first team. Also I think it's important to seed in a few at a time, rather than chucking out a team that's 60% kids against men. Doesn't ever really work.

Yep, too many people focusing on Matos too, let's remember Inglethorpe is the director and oversees the personnel of coaches since 2012. Since then, a generation of lads who were under 10 years old are now coming through to our senior squad.

He's been fabulous for the club has Inglethorpe. Thank goodness he's staying and its imperative the next manager ensures the pipeline from youth to senior is maintained and strengthened.

[MonsLibpool]

Very mature performance at a critical point of the game. You can see that he's brilliant technically.

[Zaffarious]

very impressive.

[mullyred94]

Very mature performance at a critical point of the game. You can see that he's brilliant technically.

Good turn on halfway and was very composed.

Good foul on halfway to break up their counter also.

[JP!]

He's really good at the simple stuff - could take him a very long way.

[William Regal]

Really liking the look of McConnell, I think hes got the makings of a very good no 6

[Boaty McBoatface]

Old head on young shoulders. Same can be said for a lot of our academy lads.

[Asam]

He's really good at the simple stuff - could take him a very long way.

He’s already at the level where he will be a squad player next season

[JP!]

He’s already at the level where he will be a squad player next season

Yeah would agree, he lacks for nowt and plays like he belongs.  They all do, that's what's keeping them in and around everything.

[Knight]

Are we elevating the level of youngsters in a way that Fergie seemed to manage to do at points with Utd or is our academy just turning out absolutely outstanding players on demand right now?

[BeingJohnMarkovic]

Thought he was absolutely outstanding when he came on.

[Fordy]

What a cool player!

Player!

[MBL?]

This lad looks absolute quality. His technique and choice of pass is great. Looks a proper midfield player.

[Bastion Of Invincibility]

He looks about 8 but has a terrific loping gait that makes him much more imposing on the pitch.

[Pistolero]

As with Bradley...he looks like another to the manner born ....finesse, composure.....very promising indeed 👍