Youngsters/Reservists

[dww]

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.

The thing is that I think there are different situations for all those players. It is good for them to get a game, no one denies that but are they likely to be improved by the odd 20 minutes here and there. There is an excellent case that Darby could get more minutes as we have only one RB ahead of him at the minute. The same can't be said for Spearing.

Surely the measure should not be whether they play in dead rubber games but whether or not they develop into top level players? We won't know that for some time with any of these young players.

A one off experience is good but how long playing competitive games did it take Carra to become the player he is? The PL has gone up in standard and so it is harder for that sort of development curve to happen now IMO. To some degree the answer for some players will be a loan.

I would also like to point out that a lot of people have said that Rafa is unwilling to give young players a chance and I have always believed it to be unfair. Now that he has had a reserve set up under his control for a few years we are beginning to see young players develop who he is willing to play as he believes they are to one degree or another up to the task.

[Sarb]

The thing is that I think there are different situations for all those players. It is good for them to get a game, no one denies that but are they likely to be improved by the odd 20 minutes here and there. There is an excellent case that Darby could get more minutes as we have only one RB ahead of him at the minute. The same can't be said for Spearing.

Surely the measure should not be whether they play in dead rubber games but whether or not they develop into top level players? We won't know that for some time with any of these young players.

A one off experience is good but how long playing competitive games did it take Carra to become the player he is? The PL has gone up in standard and so it is harder for that sort of development curve to happen now IMO. To some degree the answer for some players will be a loan.

I would also like to point out that a lot of people have said that Rafa is unwilling to give young players a chance and I have always believed it to be unfair. Now that he has had a reserve set up under his control for a few years we are beginning to see young players develop who he is willing to play as he believes they are to one degree or another up to the task.

No reason why they can't get more than 20 mins here or there if we start killing off teams early in games like we can

I never said Rafa is unwilling to give youngsters a chance. I said he hasn't really done it since he's been here. But I take your point

[Kronenburg1892]

WTF have i done wrong?

All ive said is its not going to become the norm, as this was the perfect opportunity to give them a run.

FFS this place is full of ****ing cunts.

Don't worry mate. He's got nothing to moan about tonight. So he's picking on you.

[Harv]

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.

Im sure he has fielded the youngsters in the Champions league before a couple of years ago now. Away in Turkey i think it may have been.

I didn't say there was anything wrong with it.....i thought it was great to see. All im saying is it was the perfect opportunity....the situation doesnt arise often.

[Shaggy]

He's a big fecker that Alan Kelly

Martin

[Harv]

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

Or finishing first and potnetially facing Inter, Roma, Villareal, Madrid or Juventus.

Rafa said it himself the other day. Finishing first or second in this group does not make a huge difference.

[Chris]

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

Millwall, Spurs and Burnley. And if you accept two homegrown players then Peltier and Guthrie against Galatasaray.

[rage]

darby looks quality, i can easy see him get a dozen or so appearances this year. spearing i'd like to see loaned to a relegation fight team, he just won't get any real pitch time in central midfield this season.

was really good to see the kids come on and not look out of depth, been far too long

[Reece]

darby looks quality, i can easy see him get a dozen or so appearances this year. spearing i'd like to see loaned to a relegation fight team, he just won't get any real pitch time in central midfield this season.

was really good to see the kids come on and not look out of depth, been far too long

I've always been impressed with Darby for the ressies and he certainly didn't look out of place tonight when he came on.

[badpiggy]

don't think spearing cold possibly have done any better - played every pass perfectly and there were 2 class ones as well.

[Mike]

Looks like he is naturally bigger built now 'n' all. (darby)

[rage]

don't think spearing cold possibly have done any better - played every pass perfectly and there were 2 class ones as well.

neither do i, just don't think he'll get in ahead of masch, alonso, gerrard and lucas much if at all.

[Harv]

Big fan of little J. He do well going on loan and getting some Prem/Champ experience

[Assassin]

Well done Rafa

[Sarb]

Don't worry mate. He's got nothing to moan about tonight. So he's picking on you.

Oh the irony of this statement