LFC Academy 08/09

[dww]

Interview with under-18s' captain Joe Kennedy on the offal.

[Reece]

Can't see it mentioned anywhere but Adam Pepper scored a Xabi Alonso style half way line goal recently

[Reece]

It's been a rather hectic week here at the Academy in which we've had the opportunity take in two Youth Cup ties.

One identified Birmingham City as our semi-final opponents while the other one gave us an idea of who we could face in the final.

As ever, with lots to get through, we'll begin with last Saturday's match and the 2-2 draw at home to Blackburn Rovers.

It was a good performance and I felt both sides played well in what were windy conditions. We fell behind around the half-hour mark but fought back to take a 2-1 lead. At this point I think we should have gone on and won the match, but credit to Rovers, they kept battling and managed to earn a share of the spoils.

The overall team display was good but I'd also like to give a mention to Adam Pepper for his extraordinary goal from the halfway line. It just shows his vision and ability. You want your midfielders to look up and pick a pass for the strikers and obviously this is an extension of that, where he has seen the keeper off his line and gone for it.

It was very similar to what we have seen with Xabi Alonso at first-team level. He has such great awareness and it's pleasing to see Adam showing what he can do at Academy level too.

Of course, the big story of the day came just after the final whistle when the first-team beat Manchester United 4-1 at Old Trafford, so everyone was on a big high.

Sunday then saw the other age groups go head-to-head with Crewe. Again, they are not at the same level as our first-team, but they do a very good job in terms of Academy football.

With those matches out of the way, the rest of the week has involved trekking around various parts of the north-west to scout potential opposition and keep an eye on some of our graduates.

On Monday, I joined Hugh McAuley to watch Birmingham beat Watford in the quarter-finals of the Youth Cup at St Andrews. The result means we now know who we will face in the two-legged semi-final.

We play away first and then at home in the second leg, but as of yet we have not arranged any dates. All we know is that it will take place in April, in and around Easter time.

Having made it through to the last four, it is clear Birmingham will pose a threat to our hopes and we must make sure we are not complacent and approach it in the same way as we did for the Chelsea and Bolton matches.

We've already had a scare at Bristol Rovers in one of the earlier rounds, so the players will know it won't be easy.

The following night I went to Wigan to watch the reserves in action and it was good to see Lauri Dalla Valle get 20 minutes or so. It was his league debut for Gary Ablett's side so it was nice to see him progressing.

I was also pleased that Gary Mackay-Steven managed to get on for the last few minutes after a season that has been disrupted by injury.
The involvement of those two as well as the other past Academy players in Martin Kelly, Dean Bouzanis, Steven Irwin and Jay Spearing was a good boost for us.

After taking in that match, it was over to the City of Manchester Stadium on the Wednesday to watch the first-leg of the FA Youth Cup semi-final between Arsenal and Manchester City.

Now obviously we have to try and get Birmingham before we start seriously thinking about playing one of these two in the final, but we also have to make sure we prepare in case we do make it through.

Manchester City hadn't lost a game all season prior to the clash and they were the better team in the first half and deservedly led 1-0 at the interval.

However, Arsenal fought back and ended up winning 2-1. It just shows you have fast things can change in youth football. I've sensed it myself when I've been on the touchline. It's very difficult to actually action anything to get them back on track.

It brought back memories of the Youth Cup final three years ago. We played the second leg at Man City and got absolutely hammered but only lost 2-0. Thankfully, we had done the damage in the first-leg when we won 3-0 at Anfield. It made the overall victory all the more strange for us. It was a bitter-sweet feeling to lift the trophy after that. It was actually the first time I have been back to that stadium since.

Having seen the quality of the two teams I'm pretty sure the coaches of both Arsenal and City will think they can do the business in the second-leg at the Emirates, so it's a tie that is still very much in the balance.

That match is over a month away, and will take place around April 22, so we could have played both of our games before they play their second one. We will just have to wait and see.

Like I say, it's been a very busy week for us and we'll round that off tomorrow with another Academy match at home to Leeds United.

We play the sides in the north-west both home and away, but we also top up those fixtures with 10 other games against teams from further away, with the bulk of them being from the north-east and Yorkshire.

We only play these sides once and it's a good way of testing ourselves against teams other than our local rivals.

We know Leeds will pose us problems having played them in the Youth Cup earlier in the season and we are looking forward to what should be an entertaining game of football.

[Jayesh87]

DATES CONFIRMED FOR YOUTH SEMI-FINAL
Steve Hunter 20 March 2009

Liverpool FC have confirmed the dates for their FA Youth Cup semi-final against Birmingham City.

The first leg will be at St Andrews on Thursday, April 16, at 7pm, while the return leg at Anfield takes place on Friday, April 24, also kicking-off at 7pm.

Admission prices for both games will be £4 for adults and £2 concessions (juveniles aged 16 or under and senior citizens).

LFC.TV

[Jayesh87]

YOUNGSTERS CRASH TO HEAVY DEFEAT
Paul Hassall at The Academy 21 March 2009

Liverpool under-18s slumped to a disappointing 3-1 defeat as Leeds United avenged their FA Youth Cup elimination at the Academy this afternoon.
The Reds were second best throughout a one-sided encounter and never looked capable of securing a league repeat of their 2-1 success at Elland Road in round three of the cup back in December.

Leeds started the brighter of the two sides and could have gone ahead as early as the seventh minute but Michael Whitwell made a mess of his 25 yarder after a clever break down the right.

The miss did little to unnerve the visitors and six minutes later they worked another superb opening with William Hatfield firing straight at a relieved Deale Chamberlain from the edge of the area.

Liverpool had yet to get going and were left breathing another sigh of relief on 20 minutes when skipper Andrew Milne came within a whisker of touching home Whitwell's teasing free-kick.

The visitors were clearly up for some revenge and when they did finally take the lead their joy was clear for all to see.

Another dangerous move from the right ended with the Reds defence only half clearing the ball to the edge of the area, allowing Sam Jones to surge forward and unleash a powerful drive into the bottom corner.

In truth, it was the least they deserved in a first-half belonged to Leeds. The home side struggled to create any opening of note and were lucky not to concede a penalty on 45 minutes when Conor Coady looked to have brought down Tom Elliott in the box.

The Reds needed to step up a gear after the interval but once again it was the away side who made the faster start, and they doubled their lead on 51 minutes.

A neat move down the left ended with Whitwell just inside the Reds' area and he made no mistake with a low shot that Chamberlain could only parry into the net.

If things looked bleak for Liverpool at this point, it got even worse two minutes later when Whitwell was on hand to steer home the third.

With the game all-but lost the Reds went on to enjoy their best spell of the whole contest and they came close to reducing the arrears through David Amoo's low shot.

Alex Cooper then struck the crossbar direct from a corner before Jack Robinson nodded in an 83rd minute consolation after Joe Kennedy had flicked on at the near post.

Liverpool under-18s: Deale Chamberlain, Andre Wisdom, Jack Robinson, Conor Coady, Joe Kennedy, Alex Cooper, David Amoo, Adam Pepper (John Flanaghan 55), Lauri Dalla Valle (Adam Dawson 78), Karl Klair, Alex Kacaniklic (Matthew McGiveron 75).

Unused sub: Hakan Duyan.

[lfc for life]

U17S goalkeeper

.[/QUOTE]

Theres a few threds saying he left villa because of his height but ive been told it was down to the coaching there,hes a brave young shot stopper who wont bottle anything put in front of him, hes came a long way in a short time and one for the future,keep an eye out for him

[JPK]

WHEN growing up, many of us dream of throwing on our favourite team kit and running on to the field with our heroes.

Whether that is for the North Queensland Cowboys, the Brisbane Lions, the Queensland Reds or Manchester United, it is a dream that is rarely fulfilled.

Cannonvale's 15-year-old football player Todd Jenkins is one of the lucky ones.

He was selected to represent the Australian under 17s futsal team at the world championships in England last year and was approached by scouts from Liverpool to attend trials.

From there Jenkins went on the ride of his life and was able to cross off many of the things on every aspiring football players' wish list.

Trials went well and the former Adelaide resident was asked to stick around to play for Liverpool's reserves in a couple of games to see if he could mix it with the big boys.

This allowed Jenkins to play on many of the famous arenas that most people will only ever see on television including Liverpool's home ground Anfield and that of their fierce rivals Everton, Goodison Park.

He even got the chance to mix it with some of the games global superstars on the training paddock.

Household names such as Steven Gerrard, Fernando Torres and Xabi Alonso have now kicked the ball with a star of the future.

All this from a professed self-learner.

“I started playing football in Adelaide as a kid, basically just to make friends,” Jenkins said.

“I haven't had much high level coaching but I really love futsal and moving through the rep teams in that has given me an opportunity to go to Liverpool.”

It may not be the last time that Jenkins walks Anfield's hallowed turf either as he's been offered the chance to sign a pre-contract with the iconic Liverpool club.

The pre-contract gives Liverpool first rights to include Jenkins as part of their squad if and when he steps up to professional, which he hopes will be some time next year.

In the meantime the new resident of the Whitsunday region is looking at playing in an amateur competition in the area to continue to develop his skills and fitness.

It's unlikely that he will be short on takers.


Looks like we have started recruiting young players for next year already. First of many I suppose.

[Jayesh87]

U18S IN SIX GOAL THRILLER
Steve Hunter 28 March 2009

Liverpool Under-18s came back from 3-1 down to force a 3-3 draw away at Huddersfield Town on Saturday.
David Amoo scored a deserved equaliser for Hughie McAuley's young team while Karl Clare scored his first goal at U18 level. Skipper Joe Kennedy was also on target.

"There was plenty of goals and excitement but the conditions were poor with strong wind and rain," McAuley told Liverpoolfc.tv.

"We had five schoolboys in the team and Lauri Dalla Valle and Nathan Eccleston were on the bench after playing in a behind closed doors friendly at Melwood on Friday.

"We actually took the lead after 10 minutes through a nice finish from Karl. But, within two minutes we conceded a goal at the near post.

"They scored direct from a free-kick to make it 2-1 just before the break then five minutes after the restart it was 3-1.

"We then put Dalla Valle and Eccleston on and they gave us a real cutting edge.

"Joe scored from a set piece and Amoo got our equaliser. We could and perhaps should have won it two minutes from time when Eccleston had a glorious chance, but unfortunately his shot went over the bar.

"Overall I have to be pleased with how we did in difficult conditions and it has been a good week for the boys.

"We spent a couple of days up at Melwood this week which gave our lads a chance to train with the likes of Jamie Carragher, Lucas and Fabio Aurelio which was a fantastic opportunity for them, and they will have gained a lot from that."

Liverpool team: Deale Chamberlain, John Flanagan (Matty McGiveron 75), Jack Robinson, Conor Coady, Joe Kennedy, Andre Wisdom, Karl Clare (Lauri Dalla Valle 65), Adam Pepper, David Amoo, Christopher Buchtmann, Alex Cooper (Nathan Eccleston 75).

Sub not used: Hakan Duyan.

LFC.TV

[JPK]

Liverpool look at 14-year-old goalkeeper

Liverpool are planning for the future after making enquiries about 14-year-old Spanish goalkeeper Sergio Cabanelas.Reds boss Rafa Benitez secured more control over the youth set-up at the club when he recently signed his new contract and has wasted no time in identifying a potential star.

Cabanelas, who plays for Calasancio in the north-east of Spain, has already featured at Under-18 level and is also being tracked by Barcelona and Real Madrid.

And his father Jose Maria admitted: "We haven't made any decision yet. We will do that at the end of the season after assessing everything.

"We will think about the football and academic training, where he will live and his options in the future to play."

http://www.sport.co.uk/news/Football/17181/Liverpool_look_at_14-year-old_goalkeeper.aspx

[Jayesh87]

U18S RETURN TO FORM WITH STOKE TRIUMPH
Paul Hassall at The Academy 04 April 2009

Liverpool under-18s warmed up for their FA Youth Cup semi-final in style as they cruised to a 2-1 win over Stoke City on Saturday afternoon.
Goals from Lauri Dalla Valle and Nathan Eccleston did the damage as Hughie McAuley's men secured their first success since February's 4-2 triumph against Bolton at Anfield.

Substitute Adam Vickers snatched a late consolation for the visitors, but in truth, the scoreline flattered them as Liverpool were guilty of wasting a whole host of opportunities.

The victory means the Reds will now head into the semi-final first-leg encounter away to Birmingham City in a fortnight's time in high spirits as they bid to reach their third final in four years.

Prior to the clash with the Potters Academy manager John Owens told Liverpoolfc.tv that the youngsters would have to learn from the basic errors that have hindered results in recent weeks, if they were to pick up their first win in four matches.

It was a message that appeared to have fallen on deaf ears after four minutes as goalkeeper Chris Oldfield was lucky not to concede a penalty when he appeared to catch Louis Moult inside the area.

Danny Stockhall then threatened the Academy building with a poor effort from 20 yards as both sides made a sluggish start to the proceedings.

Gradually Liverpool grew into the contest and after Adam Pepper's shot from the edge of the box flew straight at Dave Parton in the visiting goal, the Reds took the lead on 24 minutes.

A neat move involving Nathan Eccleston eventually saw the ball fall to Dalla Valle, who made no mistake with a smart finish.

It was an important strike for the Finn as he brought an end to his recent goal draught with his 15th of the season.

The goal seemed to do wonders for the Reds' confidence too, as they began to play the kind of flowing football that has been a feature of their cup run this season.

The visitors had lost their belief after going behind and Liverpool doubled their advantage on 33 minutes when a sweet move saw Tom Ince and Eccleston combine, with the latter steering a sublime finish beyond Parton from 20 yards.

Dalla Valle then went close to making it three just minutes later but his low drive cannoned back off the near post to safety.

The home side were well in control going into the interval, but did have the brilliance of Oldfield to thank for protecting their two-goal cushion just seconds before the half-time whistle, when he denied Darren Brunt inside the six yard box.

It served as a warning for an improved second-half display from Stoke, but despite a bright start from the Potters, it was Liverpool who created the better openings.

On 52 minutes an exciting run from David Amoo saw the winger surge beyond two before cutting the ball across the six yard box for Dalla Valle, but the young striker arrived a fraction of a second too late to provide the finish.

The Finn then showed good feet inside the area to bamboozle a couple of defenders before crashing a shot wide of the far post.

The game was developing into a very one-sided contest and Joe Kennedy could have made it three just past the hour mark but he someone failed to force the ball home after a right-wing corner found him unmarked at the far post.

Amoo then saw a goal-bound drive deflected inches past the post before Jack Robinson looped an effort over the advancing keeper, only to see the ball drop agonisingly over the top of the crossbar.

As the final whistle approached the Reds continued to waste chances and should have run up an emphatic score before Stoke grabbed a stoppage time lifeline when Vickers ran through and clipped the ball beyond Oldfield.

Liverpool under-18s: Chris Oldfield, John Flannagan, Jack Robinson, Andre Wisdom, Joe Kennedy, Chris Buchtmann (Karl Clare 63), David Amoo, Adam Pepper, Lauri Dalla Valle, Tom Ince, Nathan Eccleston (Alex Cooper 82).

Unused subs: Deale Chamberlain, Conner, Roberts-Nurse.

LFC.TV

[Reece]

Nathan Eccleston has signed a 2 year contract extension according to the Mirror/BBC Gossip column.

[MrMichael]

Liverpool confirm Ajdarevic exit

10:39 AM 16 April, 2009

http://www.fansfc.com/Liverpool/story/9723/10.html

Astrit Ajdarevic will leave Liverpool for good at the end of the season, the Premier League giants have confirmed.

The 18-year-old Swede is currently on loan at the Walkers Stadium and could be offered a permnanent deal in the summer.

Liverpool academy chief John Owens told the Leicester Mercury: "He won't come back to us and he will see out the season with Leicester and then they will have the first chance to offer him something.

"Other clubs will no doubt have a look at him as well so we'll have to wait and see what happens."

[Reece]

Liverpool Under-18s travel to St Andrews to take on Birmingham City in the first leg of the FA Youth Cup semi-final tonight - and you can watch the match live on LFC TV from 6.30pm.
Claire Rourke will be joined by reserve team boss Gary Ablett and former Red and Academy goal getter Neil Mellor in the studio, while David Fairclough will be part of our commentary team live from the Midlands.

Kick-off is at 7pm and you can also watch the match live online with our fantastic e-Season Ticket service.

[MrMichael]

Defender has sights on England

Paul Hassall, 08 May 2009
Official Site



Liverpool's Youth Cup star Chris Buchtmann is relishing the prospect of facing England on Saturday after making a flying start to the UEFA Under-17 Championship.

The Reds full-back struck the all-important second goal for Germany in the host nation's 3-1 win over Turkey on Wednesday night and is now hoping to repeat the trick against the country where he now plies his trade.

"It was my first goal for Germany," said Buchtmann. "I felt great about that.

"It was a good start to the tournament, it gives us a lot of confidence. We were very nervous at the start but we got better and better and we showed what we can do. We will do all what we can to win the tournament."

He added: "We are looking forward to playing England.

"I play for Liverpool, so it's great to play against them."

[Pablo]

He is definitely a talent that Buchtmann, been impressed whenever I have seen him play.