Joao Teixeira

[Pablo]

You are right, this is exactly why big squads and big squads of quality are bad for the game imo. Fowler or Owen breaking through at 17 these days? It's unlikely. I also think because of the wages paid and players attitudes, its harder to drop a non performing player from the squad to make way for a youngster. If tex came in and was fantastic in a game, he should have like in the old days, a chance to stake his claim for a place. But it doesn't happen, at best after a Europa or cup game he would make the 7 man bench and then be lucky to get a 5 minute cameo before disappearing altogether. With the pressure that Rodgers is under, there's no way he will go with youth over established right now. Not with the squad we have assembled. Ibe is lucky he has pace and isn't a number 10. We are so overloaded centrally, it leaves no room for a tex to come in.

A Fowler or an Owen would still come through no problem. They were insanely talented. If you're that good you'll make it. Look at Sterling or Ibe for example.

The players who suffer are the level just below that. Players that could come good if given the chance. With the necessity for instant success now clubs don't have the luxury to give someone time to improve.

I think a better example of someone who might not have made it these days is Jamie Carragher.

[BobTheCharmer]

I agree pabs and carragher is a great example. However I don't think a Fowler or Owen would have come in quite so young as they did. But considering the injuries they went on to suffer, perhaps we over played them too soon.

[Exiled_red]

Despite their talent IIRC both Owen and Fowler came though when the side wasn't doing too well or there were injury problems - Fowler in the Souness era, Owen in about 97 when we had an injury crisis up front, while they obviously did well and kept their place in the side I think that they initially benefited from smaller squads and injury problems. Similarly someone like Flanagan got his chance because of injuries and a lack of squad depth.

Gerrard is one of the few players that I can think of who can through at a time of relative strength in his position, however the side of c1998 was one of the weakest LFC sides for a while. Similarly Sterling came into the side when we were having a crap season.

I am struggling to think of players who came through and established themselves when we were doing well and got games ahead of more experienced players.

[Venton]

Ronnie Whelan?

[Exiled_red]

Ronnie Whelan?

I remember Ronnie Whelan playing but I'm not old enough to remember him coming through. I wondered about Steve McManaman but I think he came through in the period in c91-92 when John Barnes along with a few others were out for a long time. So you may be right with Whelan being the last

[ronanm]

Flanagan?

[Fosterbloke]

Joran Ibe? We seemed to be doing quite well before he came on the scene.

[Exiled_red]

Flanagan?

We weren't doing great when he first came into the side under Kenny and again he got his chance in the season that we were doing well because we had alot of injuries and no other options

Joran Ibe? We seemed to be doing quite well before he came on the scene.

He came through last season, he got a couple of games when we were on a decent run again somewhat down to a lack of options for a wingback position

[Daffy Duck]

Martin Kelly came in when we were in the CL and continued to feature regularly when we did quite well, I think. Too bad he got wrecked later

[Exiled_red]

Martin Kelly came in when we were in the CL and continued to feature regularly when we did quite well, I think. Too bad he got wrecked later

I thought he only played the odd game under Rafa, but really got a regular run of games under Bodgson, which means I wouldn't have to look up to know the team were doing badly at the time

[little dave hedgehog]

[Fierce]

[Norbs]

[Fredo]

[redmike65]

I'm holding my proverbial breath - I think he may just have survived the late loan/sale cull.