LFC Academy 08/09

[Jayesh87]

Michael Scott goes to AZ Alkmaar
Nov 20 2008 by James Pearce, Liverpool Echo

WIRRAL-born right-back Michael Scott has gone on a 10-day trial to AZ Alkmaar.

The third year academy trainee will miss Liverpool Under-18s’ trip to Stoke City on Saturday.

Scott is one of four players unavailable for the match as striker Marvin Pourie and midfielder Christopher Buchtmann are on international duty with Germany, while Shane O’Connor is part of the Ireland set-up.

“We’re going to miss those lads but we’re hoping to have Nathan Eccleston and James Ellison back from injury,” said coach Hughie McAuley.

Echo

[Jayesh87]

I've updated the stats and tables and added highlights for the Wolves, Man U, Bolton and Everton games in the original post.

[Jayesh87]

UNDER-18S HELD BY STOKE
Steve Hunter

Liverpool Under-18s let a two goal lead slip as they were held to a 2-2 draw away at Stoke City.
Goals from David Amoo and Lauri Dalla Valle had put Hughie McAuley's team in the driving seat but Stoke battled back to earn a share of the spoils.

McAuley's preparations were not helped at the start when Alex Kacaniklic felt his hamstring in the warm-up and James Ellison came back into the starting XI.

Then after five minutes left back Alex Cooper was forced to leave the field with concussion and Under-16 defender Carl Claire made his Under-18s bow.

"It was disappointing to only get a draw because we created enough chances to have won the game," said McAuley.

"We could easily have gone in at half-time 4-1 up but we let them back in the game when they scored just before the break.

"They got an equaliser from a set piece and they were very direct and played a lot of long balls against us.

"It was a very windy day and conditions were difficult but again, we created some great chances to win it in the second half. Thomas Ince had two openings and Amoo and Dalla Valle could have scored again."

http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/news/archi...81123-0858.htm

[Jayesh87]

LIVERPOOL DATE
24 Nov 2008

Elland Road date set for Liverpool clash in FA Youth Cup...

Leeds United will play host to Liverpool on Tuesday December 2 (7pm) in the third round of the FA Youth Cup.

The United youngsters won 3-0 at Oadby Town last midweek to secure an Elland Road meeting with the Anfield youngsters.

Admission for the tie is £3/£1 and the East Stand only will be open for this game.

http://www.leedsunited.com/page/Late...464645,00.html

[Jayesh87]

Ex-Liverpool chief Peter Robinson's verdict on Anfield Academy
Nov 27 2008 by Tony Barrett, Liverpool Echo

TEN years ago, Peter Robinson had a vision for the future of Liverpool – it was for the club to produce a steady supply of top young footballers who would allow it to compete with the world’s best.

Liverpool’s then chief executive and vice-chairman mapped out his plan to the ECHO as he looked forward to the opening of a new academy in Kirkby.

“We believe that it will be vital in the future that the club is able to produce as many of its own players as possible,” said Robinson.

“The Liverpool Football Academy will enable us to compete with anyone in the world.”

Ten years on and the production line has all but stalled, leaving Anfield regulars wondering when the next local lad will make it into the first team, with the worry being that the Scouse heartbeat will have faded altogether by the time Jamie Carragher and Steven Gerrard hang up their boots.

Nationally, the picture is not much prettier of an academy system which the FA’s director of football development, Sir Trevor Brooking, recently claimed is failing to produce players of the same quality as those that are being produced overseas.

Looking back at the decision to build a £10m academy at Windy Harbour, Robinson remains adamant that it was the right path for Liverpool to take, even though he admits it is “debatable” as to whether or not the facility has been a success.

“I was keen to go down that route and we made enquiries as to where there was a suitable piece of land available and Kirkby was the best option,” he recalls.

“We wanted to develop as many players as we could and after visiting a number of academies in Europe we decided to base our own on the one at Ajax. At the time they were one of the most successful clubs in Europe when it came to producing homegrown players.”

The Ajax model was certainly a good one to try and imitate, given the fact that just three years before Liverpool’s academy opened the Dutch club had won the Champions League with a squad featuring several graduates from its own youth system.

There were few dissenting voices when Liverpool followed Ajax’s example. With fans keen to see local players coming into the first team ranks, and the club hierarchy having recognised that in an era of spiralling transfer fees, the best way forward would be to have a pool of homegrown talent to dip into.

In hindsight, one of the big criticisms is that Liverpool opted to create a site for the Academy which was well away from the base for the first team squad, with detractors arguing that it created an unhealthy “us and them” mentality.

Robinson admits the possibility of siting both first teamers and academy youngsters in the same place – a system which has paid huge dividends for Real Madrid – was discussed, but ultimately rejected.

He said: “We did look at great length at combining the academy with the senior set-up, but we would have had to leave Melwood for that to happen and that would have caused a major amount of upheaval.

“In the end, we decided to go along the Ajax route because we wanted to retain Melwood.

“I have noted that both Manchester United and Arsenal have chosen to combine their academy and first team set-ups, and it is probably debatable which was the best way forward.”

Robinson remembers the time when Liverpool’s academy dream became a reality, but he is at a loss to explain why the club has not gone on to produce as many players as had been hoped.

“I was delighted to see it open because it was something I had been intent on doing before I left the club,” he said.

“It’s difficult to give a reason why an area produces players for a period of time and then all of a sudden it doesn’t.

“At one time we had Steven Gerrard, Michael Owen and Jamie Carragher come through the ranks and Everton had Wayne Rooney – and all four of them came from the local area.

“Then there has been a period when there has not been the same number of players coming through.”

Though there are those who would gladly bring an end to the academy system in this country and start afresh with something new, Robinson remains adamant that it is worth persevering with and regards it as the best option available for young players.

“Of course, I would like to see more locally produced young players coming through,” he said. “But what I would say is that the academy does give you the best chance of producing young players.

“The fans like to see locally produced players in the team and it is a great fillip for the club when this happens. Merseyside is like one big family and the people love to see their own coming through.

“Nationally, the academy system is the right way for English football to improve skills and educate youngsters because it gives young players the chance to improve themselves.

“Maybe one area which could be improved would be the standard of coaching at academy level because I think the English clubs might have been a bit slow to catch up with their European counterparts in this regard, hence the recent outburst from Sir Trevor Brooking.”

One thing that cannot be taken away from Liverpool is they were trailblazers in this country when it came to creating an academy and Robinson takes great pride in that fact.

“We were ahead of the game, ,” he said. “We did it and Arsenal and Manchester United only built theirs after the academy system was up and running nationally.”

There is no question that Peter Robinson’s vision for the future of Liverpool was the right one, but whether the club has made the most of the academy he helped create in the decade since it opened is another matter entirely.

Peter Robinson fact file

Recognised as one of the finest administrators in British football – PBR worked closely with Reds managers from Bill Shankly to Gerard Houllier.

First job was assistant secretary of Stockport County in the late 1950s.

Appointed secretary of home town club Crewe Alexandra aged just 23.

Worked as a secretary for clubs in all four divisions, Stockport, Crewe, Scunthorpe, Brighton and Liverpool.

A workaholic, when he married he was back at his desk in Scunthorpe at 9am the next day. “Luckily my wife is used to my eccentric habits,” he joked.

Joined Liverpool as club secretary in 1965 following the death of Frank McInnes.

That season Liverpool were champions and reached the European Cup Winners Cup final.

Close confidant of Bill Shankly, describing him as: “one of the most honest men I’ve ever met.”

Sunderland tried to take Shankly and Robinson to the North East in the late 60s. “The idea of making them great again appealed to us, but we declined it,” recalled Robinson.

It was his decision to allow fans into Anfield after the Hillsborough disaster in 1989.

He was Anfield’s first chief executive and was also an executive vice chairman of the club.

He was the first winner of the Echo’s prestigious Bill Shankly Memorial Award.

Proudest moment was watching Liverpool lift the European Cup for first time in 1977.

His biggest regret was not persuading Kevin Keegan to come back from Hamburg and form a partnership with Kenny Dalglish.

The Academy

The state of the art facility in Kirkby covers an area of 56 acres and was opened in late 1998.

There are four full-size grass pitches and one with a synthetic surface. There are also seven smaller pitches and an indoor arena.

Promising youngsters are recommended by their club or school or spotted by local scouts and invited to a trial.

The academy accepts youngsters from the aged of nine to 18. Up to the age of 12 boys play in eight-a-side games.

Players are restricted to only playing for the club itself and their school to ensure youngsters aren’t playing too much football.

Those aged nine to 11 must live within an hour of the academy and are registered one year at a time. Those aged 12 to 16 must live within 90 minutes of the academy and are registered every two years.

Players may sign professional contracts from the age of 17.

Youngsters are taught things such as sports science, how to handle their finances and how to deal with the media.

Matches are videotaped and then analysed and discussed with the players in the Tom Saunders Lecture Theatre.

All the youngsters aspire to play on the main pitch at Kirkby for the under-18s and secure promotion to the senior set-up at Melwood.

Each boy has his own gym programme to meet his individual strength and fitness requirements.

The medical centre boasts a hydrotherapy pool, full-time physios and a doctor. The Pool Room is a place for the players to relax.

The youngsters eat together in the cafeteria with fitness coaches ensuring they get the right nutritional balance.

ECHO

[Jayesh87]

Kop kids: Young stars benefit from athletics Michael Johnson
Nov 27 2008 by James Pearce, Liverpool Echo

COACH Hughie McAuley is hoping a visit from track legend Michael Johnson will help inspire his under-18s to even greater heights.

The American, who boasts four Olympic gold medals and still holds the 400m world record, visited the Kirkby Academy while on a tour to promote his athletics programme.

Johnson gave a presentation to the players before holding a meeting with the coaches.

McAuley said: “It was fantastic to have Michael here and everyone enjoyed it.

“He talked to the lads about motivational techniques, the sacrifices needed to reach the top and what it takes to stay there.

“He also talked about being in control of your own destiny. He answered the lads’ questions and gave them some good advice.

“Michael is a legend and an inspirational figure, but also very down to earth and humble. It was great for the lads to meet him and I know they got a lot out of it.”

ECHO

[Vermilion]

Nice of MJ to pop by for a chat with the lads, this sort of thing can do no harm at all.

Shame the Academy wasn't joined on to Melwood, i think it would be great for the youngsters to see their idols in passing on a daily basis, just as that little extra incentive, seeing the first team training, and being in the vicinity of our best players i feel would add something.

[Pablo]

Kop kids: Young stars benefit from athletics Michael Johnson
Nov 27 2008 by James Pearce, Liverpool Echo

COACH Hughie McAuley is hoping a visit from track legend Michael Johnson will help inspire his under-18s to even greater heights.

The American, who boasts four Olympic gold medals and still holds the 400m world record, visited the Kirkby Academy while on a tour to promote his athletics programme.

Johnson gave a presentation to the players before holding a meeting with the coaches.

McAuley said: “It was fantastic to have Michael here and everyone enjoyed it.

“He talked to the lads about motivational techniques, the sacrifices needed to reach the top and what it takes to stay there.

“He also talked about being in control of your own destiny. He answered the lads’ questions and gave them some good advice.

“Michael is a legend and an inspirational figure, but also very down to earth and humble. It was great for the lads to meet him and I know they got a lot out of it.”

ECHO

Michael Johnson is one of my all time favourite sporting heroes

[Jayesh87]

Team v Leeds in youth cup tonight:

Bouzanis

Wisdom
Kennedy
Ayala
Buchtmann

Amoo
Irwin
Pepper
Kacaniklic

Ince
Dalla Valle

[Jayesh87]

1-1 at HT

Ince scored a free kick for us.

[Jayesh87]

2-1

Dalla Valle

[Jayesh87]

INCE ON TARGET AS REDS BEAT LEEDS
Paul Hassall at Elland Road 02 December 2008

Lauri Dalla Valle and Tom Ince were both on target as Liverpool's youngsters booked their place in the fourth round of the FA Youth Cup with a 2-1 win at Leeds United.
The Reds dominated throughout a one-sided contest but looked like they would be made to pay for wasting a series of gilt-edged chances after Michael Whitwell cancelled out Ince's spectacular opener.

However, Hughie McAuley's men continued to probe and finally got what they deserved on 58 minutes when Dalla Valle guided home.

The Reds had made an enterprising start to the proceedings and could have taken the lead inside 60 seconds, but Ince failed to connect with David Amoo's clever flick-on and the opportunity went begging.

It set the pattern for the remainder of the half as Liverpool created chance after chance without finding the finishing touch to put the game out of sight.

Indeed, Hughie McAuley must have wondered how his side went in level at the break after an attacking performance that had seen them run the Leeds defenders ragged at times.

First Amoo and Alex Kacaniklic were thwarted by timely interceptions before Lauri Dalla Valle showed a lack of composure when he drilled wide after surging clean through on goal.

Ince then forced a fine save from Leeds stopper Ryan Jones with a fizzing 25 yarder as the home side struggled to come to terms with wave after wave of attack.

The forward was clearly enjoying himself in a central striking role alongside Dalla Valle and capped a fine individual performance when he gave Liverpool the lead by curling a sublime 25 yard free-kick into the top corner on 14 minutes.

It was no more than Liverpool deserved and they could have doubled their advantage on any number of occasions with Jones having to thwart both Christopher Buchtmann and Amoo with smart saves.

At this point it looked like being a rout, but with just the one goal in it, Leeds continued to battle and grabbed a shock equaliser with their first attack of the game on 25 minutes.

A corner from the left was whipped deep into the Reds' six yard box and when no-one picked up Michael Whitwell, the midfielder rose well to glance home.

It was a brief respite for the home side and had Dalla Valle made the most of an exquisite move on 35 minutes, the hosts would have gone in at the interval behind.

The Finnish striker exchanged a sublime one-two with Ince in what was undoubtedly the move of the match, but after racing clear and rounding the keeper he fired his effort wide of target.

It was developing into a lively contest, and despite having to compete with the sporadic fall of snowflakes, both sides continued to try and play their football.

The second half began in a similar fashion to the first with Daniel Ayala wasting another glorious chance when he planted a free header straight into the arms of Jones before Dalla Valle followed suit by guiding Buchtmann's cross into the stand.

It looked like being one of those nights for the 17-year-old but he kept plugging away and finally showed his quality just shy of the hour mark when he flicked Adam Pepper's corner into the far corner of the net.

If the sparse crowd inside Elland Road thought Liverpool had finally found their goal-touch then they were mistaken as Kacaniklic joined the growing list of culprits when he miscued his shot after good approach play by Ince.

With time running out Leeds tried to muster a late rally, and although substitute Sam Jerome almost carved out an equaliser, the three-times winners held on to claim a deserved place in round four of the competition.

Liverpoolfc.tv Man of the Match: Tom Ince. A superb display by the winger turned striker, who capped the night with a sublime opener.

Leeds United: Ryan Jones, Liam Darville, Luke Garbutt, Tom Lees, Callum Williams, Andrew Milne, Michael Whitwell (Sam Jerome 70), Will Hatfield (James Baxendale 70), Tom Elliott, Sam Jones (Joe McCann 46), Aidan White. Unused subs: Alex Cairns, Adam Watson.

Liverpool: Dean Bouzanis, Andre Wisdom, Christopher Buchtmann, Daniel Ayala, Joe Kennedy, Steve Irwin, David Amoo (James Ellison 68), Adam Pepper, Lauri Dalla Valle, Tom Ince, Alex Kacaniklic. Unused subs: Marvin Pourie, Deale Chamberlain, Michael Roberts, Jack Metcalf.

http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/news/drill...81202-1851.htm

[Shaggy]

Sublime.

[Jayesh87]

YOUNGSTERS ROMP TO WBA WIN
Paul Hassall at the Academy 06 December 2008

Liverpool under-18s stretched their unbeaten run to four matches with a convincing 3-0 win over West Brom at the Academy.
Hughie McAuley's side followed up their impressive Youth Cup success at Leeds United with another fine showing as goals from Joe Kennedy, James Ellison and substitute Lauri Dalla Valle ensured they retained second spot in FA Premier Academy Group A.

The Reds made a confident start but were almost caught cold on three minutes when Martin Hansen had to produce a smart save to keep out Josh Knight's low drive.

It sparked an instant response from the home side and it wasn't long before they forced visiting stopper Ryan Allsop into action when he reacted brilliantly to keep out a James Ellison piledriver.

It was a save that served merely to delay the inevitable as the Reds took the lead on six minutes when skipper Kennedy pounced to steer home the resulting corner.

The watching crowd must have anticipated a Reds onslaught at this point, but to their credit, West Brom continued to play some attractive attacking football and Hansen made another two superb saves before Sebastin Lake-Gaskin crashed an effort into the side netting.

At the other end Alex Cooper's clever one-two with Ellison forced Jamal Clarke into a great last-ditch challenge while Michael Scott's clever curler flew just wide of the far post.

With the half edging to a close the Baggies pressed for the equaliser. Lake-Gaskin was denied by a point-blank save from Hansen before Lateef Elford-Alliyu saw his goalbound shot from six yards hacked off the line.

The Reds had struggled to build on their early advantage but nearly snatched a second on the stroke of half-time when Adam Pepper's free-kick curled the wrong side of the post.

The second period was an even affair of little incident until the hour mark, when McAuley's men doubled their lead courtesy of a lightning break that resulted in Ellison coolly slotting home.

From that moment on the three points looked in the bag and substitute Dalla Valle added a third on 71 minutes when he broke down the right before cutting in and smashing home a superb individual effort.

It sealed another comfortable win and capped a superb week for the Reds who will now head into next week's clash at home to Manchester United in buoyant mood.

http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/news/drill...81206-1252.htm

[PTP]

whats some of the highlights of this last night, and i have to say i was impressed - the speed and strength of some of these boys was unreal - and having heard about him before it was the first time i had seen adam pepper! - **** me he ran the show - he just looked like a footballer, confident. composed - i really hope he develops and becomes the real deal.