I dunno what's going on with our recruitment at youth levels, but we should be targeting pacey forwards/wingers. I can't remember the last time anyone came through who matches that description. Wilson is slow, Kent isn't much quicker, Elliott is more creative than speedy.
It's such a key part of our attack, but we don't have any youth players who play a similar game to Salah and Mane.
I agree to an extent, but if you look at the current u18 group I think you’ll see some potential options that fit that description. We did have some leans years between the initial promise of Kent, Ojo, Wilson and now, but we could have a few legitimate forward prospects that have the pace to play “our way”.
Isaac Mabaya is only 16 but has become a regular at u18 level. He’s got an abundance of power and pace, and while he’s played all over the pitch so far I think he ends up a wide forward. Has 3 goals and 3 assists this season already. For me, he’s right up there with our best 2-3 long term prospects.
New recruit Mel Frauendorf is rapid. He has been more of a midfielder for most of his youth career in Germany but has been used mostly as a wide forward for us. He is still adjusting to the positional switch but he’s got all the tools.
Harvey Blair has had a couple of injuries that have slowed his momentum this season, but he’s been great when fit. He’s also a true wide forward with pace.
Then of course we have Layton Stewart. He’s been incredibly productive over the past 2 seasons and possesses the physical attributes to help him succeed at the next level. Unlike the Adam Morgan’s and Bobby Duncan’s of the past, he’s got a tall, strong frame and good pace to match his finishing ability. He’s starting to transition to u23 football now so it will be interesting to see how long it takes him to make a major impact there.
Obviously I don’t expect all of these to break through with us. I would argue though that this is the best crop of ‘Liverpool style’ forwards we’ve had in quite a while.
