Youngsters/Reservists

[Sarb]

Good to see Rafa giving the youngsters a chance today. Spearing, Darby and Kelly. Refreshing to see these guys get some valuable experience in the first team and on a European night

Well done Rafa

Shows that it's beneficial to not always send out players on loan to Championship sides but to keep them at Anfield and give them experience like this. I'm sure it will do no harm to these guys future development.




Disclaimer: The last paragraph is my opinion based on no factual evidence whatsoever. It's just an opinion

[-V-]

I have high hopes for Darby, def good to see them getting involved today. Well done Rafa. Again

[DannyMan2006]

Agree with Sarb 100%.

He picked the right game to do it to. If the lads had screwed up we'd sill be in the last 16 and their confidence would not take to much of a knocking. That's the key for youngsters, keep their confidence up.

[Pablo]

Perfect game for them to come on, PSV were spent but they were all terrific. Spearing was superb, several brilliant passes from him in his little cameo, got involved constantly, and always picked the right pass, plus hes a little terrier (cue Neil Young obligitory pic).

As mentioned Darby always looks composed defensively, extremely solid and a definite promising player.

[Harv]

He had nothing to lose, we were through in the group. He's done the same thing before.

[Le Chef]

He's a big fecker that Alan Kelly

[Sarb]

First time I remember three 'homegrown' young players coming on/playing at the same time in a very long time

I think it's a first for Rafa and hopefully a sign of things to come

[Mike]

Fantastic to see. This is what we should do more when given the chance.

Darby - No mistakes, kept it tight and defended well.
Spearing - Made some great passes and was looking for the ball at all times, which i liked to see.
Kelly - Same as Darby.

[Harv]

First time I remember three 'homegrown' young players coming on/playing at the same time in a very long time

I think it's a first for Rafa and hopefully a sign of things to come

You do realise that this game was bordering on meaningless. He had a chance to rest his key players ahead of a busy schedule. Its not going to become the norm.

[dww]

It would be appreciated if the sniping could stop. Many thanks.

[RedReet]

I wouldn’t go as far to say it was meaningless (or borderline). With the recent booing at matches, the last thing Rafa wanted to do was give these ****s another stick to beat him with.

He also brought on two inexperienced defenders when it was expected PSV might put us under some pressure. Imagine if we did concede, drew the game and ended up drawing Barca. How foolish would Rafa have looked, especially after consistently reiterating pre match that he wanted to top the group?

[Sarb]

I wouldn’t go as far to say it was meaningless (or borderline). With the recent booing at matches, the last thing Rafa wanted to do was give these ****s another stick to beat him with.

He also brought on two inexperienced defenders when it was expected PSV might put us under some pressure. Imagine if we did concede, drew the game and ended up drawing Barca. How foolish would Rafa have looked, especially after consistently reiterating pre match that he wanted to top the group?

Drawing the game and finishing second with a potential tricky game next up.....very meaningless game indeed

[Kronenburg1892]

You do realise that this game was bordering on meaningless. He had a chance to rest his key players ahead of a busy schedule. Its not going to become the norm.

Maybe it did mean nothing in the cold light of season stats, but what I got out of this game more than the result, was all the players eventually "got it right".

[DannyMan2006]

He had nothing to lose, we were through in the group. He's done the same thing before.

When?

And I can't see the problem as it was an ideal time.

I have said many times before, any player coming through will stuggle to get inti the LFC squad, let alone the first XI. Everywhere you look we have internationals. You can see why Lucas wold get games over Spearing as he is further ahead in his development.

Ahead of Lucas is Gerrard, Mascherano and Alonso. Just behind tem is Lucas and then comes Plessis who was outstanding last year. The Frenchmen has tailed of this year giving Spearing a chance, but he still has the quality to come good.

If Keane lights up with Torres after Xmas, which is enirely possible, then that leaves just two midfield places. How the hell does Rafa fit in young reserves?

Same goes for Darby and Insua, both have two tp quality players infront of them. Okay, Degen and Dossena have struggled as yet due to injuries or lack of adapting to England, but yet again both may yet come good. What then for the young lads?

It's a dog eat dog world. All thatr eally matters is the first team challenge for trophies. We are doing that. If you want to break into the first XI it is simple. Play well in the reserves on a regualr basis and do the business when called upon.

[Sarb]

When?

Still waiting for that answer of when three young homegrown players have played in the same game under Rafa, or even Ged for that matter