Liverpool vs Arsenal - FA Youth Cup

[Jayesh87]

Still 1-0?

look in my academy sticky

[Redspin]

look in my academy sticky

Final score: Liverpool won 1-0

So much for Arsenal's "kids" that the media are obsessed with

[Shaggy]

Final score: Liverpool won 1-0

So much for Arsenal's "kids" that the media are obsessed with

[StevieG08]

Final score: Liverpool won 1-0

So much for Arsenal's "kids" that the media are obsessed with

****in get in

Well done lads.

[livvy145]

Final score: Liverpool won 1-0

So much for Arsenal's "kids" that the media are obsessed with

Nice one.

[Jan-Erik]

look in my academy sticky

[Vermilion]

Superb, great result, Consistently good youth performances now year on year, good to see, Fantastic. Arsenal kids, blah, not as good as the LIVERPOOL YOUTH.

[Shaggy]

Liverpool's dreams of retaining the FA Youth Cup are very much alive after they produced a mature performance to secure a hard-fought victory over Arsenal at Anfield.

Captain Steven Irwin was the hero, as his deflected cross-shot midway through the first-half clinched a 1-0 win and booked Hughie McAuley's side's place in round five of the competition.

The Gunners came into the match boasting a trio of players who have already appeared in Arsene Wenger's first-team, but despite the obvious quality of Gavin Hoyte, Mark Randall and Kieran Gibbs, it was the Reds who created the better of the chances in an intriguing opening period.

Astrit Ajdarevic was first to show with a long range shot that flashed just wide of Wojciechwojciech Szcezezezesny's far post before Martin Kelly failed to divert his header goalwards after Sean Highdale's corner had found him unmarked in the six yard box.

For all their good approach play the visitors could not find a way through Liverpool's stubborn rearguard and their best chances of the half fell to Gilles Sunu and Gavin Hoyte, who both saw their efforts well saved by Aussie keeper Dean Bouzanis.

Indeed, as the period wore on the hosts grew in confidence and they were unlucky not to take lead when David Amoo's header from a Highdale cross was brilliantly saved by Szcezezezesny on 24 minutes.

But any sigh of relief the Arsenal players may have breathed was premature as the Reds kept the attack going before taking the lead in the most bizarre of circumstances.

Steven Irwin picked up the ball on the right side of the Gunners area and powered to the byline before delivering a low effort across goal that deflected off an Arsenal defender's arm and into the net.

It was a fortuitous strike but one that gave them the confidence to go on and dominate the remainder of the first period as they countered Arsenal's silky passing moves with some purposeful play in the wide areas.

And on 41 minutes they could have doubled their interval lead as the Arsenal defence almost suffered a fatal case of déjà vu.

David Amoo broke well down the right and when his low cross was missed by Szcezezezesny, it hit Paul Rodgers and would have resulted in yet another crazy own goal but Hoyte was on hand to clear from underneath his own crossbar.

It was a ****ing frustrating moment for the Reds as a second goal would have made the second period a much more comfortable proposition.

But instead, the Gunners were still in the contest and after the restart they dominated proceedings with Mark Randall seeing an effort from distance fly just over the bar while Kelly and then Dean Bouzanis reacted well to keep out Kieran Gibbs' volley.

While Steve Bould's side dominated possession, it was Liverpool who made the more clear-cut opportunities with Kelly again finding space to head just wide from another Highdale corner before Amoo was brilliantly denied by Szcezezezesny on 71 minutes after he was sent clean through on goal.

With time running out the away side began to look desperate and on 79 minutes Liverpool's hopes were boosted when James Dunne was given his marching orders for a second bookable offence after he brought down the dangerous Amoo for the umpteenth time.

Despite being a man down Arsenal continued to press and Liverpool were grateful to Martin Kelly for a heroic late block to deny Sanchez Watts' goalbound effort.

Not even a late appearance from Arsenal substitute Tom Cruise could inspire a last-gasp equaliser and the holders held on to secure their passage into round five.

The Liverpool team in full: Bouzanis, Irwin, MacKay-Steven, Kelly, Kennedy, Ajdarevic, Kacaniklic, Amoo, Highdale, Eccleston, Pourie (Collins 77). Unused Subs: Hansen, O'Connor, Scott, Awang.

Arsenal: Szcezezezesny, Ogogo, Steer (Cruise 88), Dunne, Hoyte, Rodgers, Watts, Randall, Sunu (Thomas 71), Barazite, Gibbs. Unused subs: Shea, Nordtveit, Bartley.

[Armchairkopite]

Well in lads.

[paulcooper4]

Wheres that fella that said our youth set up was ****?

[dww]

Final score: Liverpool won 1-0

So much for Arsenal's "kids" that the media are obsessed with

I'm not sure that under age results are the barometer for a successful youth setup. They are an indicator that we have made progress in terms of attracting better young players but the real challenge is to develop them on to be first team players.

[paulcooper4]

I'm not sure that under age results are the barometer for a successful youth setup. They are an indicator that we have made progress in terms of attracting better young players but the real challenge is to develop them on to be first team players.

Give their bollocks a chance to drop first fella

Back to back youth cup wins, knocking out wengers much wanked over kids, and the kids that have took the reserves to the top of the league are all pointers towards a **** hot youth system.

[StevieG08]

Give their bollocks a chance to drop first fella

Back to back youth cup wins, knocking out wengers much wanked over kids, and the kids that have took the reserves to the top of the league are all pointers towards a **** hot youth system.

Too right, as i said in the other thread if we win it this year we will be the first to win it 3 in a row for 50 years, some achievement however you look at it.

[Steve101]

Wojciechwojciech Szcezezezesny's far post Bloody hell, fancy having his name on yer shirt!!!!!!!

[dww]

Give their bollocks a chance to drop first fella

Back to back youth cup wins, knocking out wengers much wanked over kids, and the kids that have took the reserves to the top of the league are all pointers towards a **** hot youth system.

Fair comment. It wasn't meant as a denigration of our youth team but a defense of Wengers or why people think so highly of it. I think we have moved on vastly from when Rafa took over but I still think for the top clubs the hardest part of the youth development cycle is getting players from outstanding youths to first team players. Something the Arsenal setup has proved very adept at.