Nemeth and Pacheco lead line v Rovers

[MrsB]

Steve Hunter, 06 April 2009
LFC Official Website



Krisztian Nemeth and Daniel Pacheco will lead the front line as Gary Ablett's reserves take on Blackburn Rovers at Ewood Park tonight.

Kick-off is at 7pm BST and remember, you can watch the entire match live on LFC TV which can also be viewed online.

In the absence of Stephen Darby, Mikel San Jose will captain the team while Daniel Ayala returns from injury.

Academy starlets Lauri Dalle Valle, Nathan Eccleston and David Amoo are named on the bench.

Liverpool team
Dean Bouzanis
Emmanuel Mendy
Steven Irwin
Mikel San Jose
Godwin Antwi
Victor Palsson
Ryan Crowther
Daniel Ayala
Krisztian Nemeth
Daniel Pacheco
Vincent Weijl

Subs
Vitor Flora
Martin Hansen
Nathan Eccleston
Lauri Dalla Valle
David Amoo

[Shaggy]

Plessis bombed out completely after a spell on the bench.

[Reece]

Jesus that's a rather attacking bench!

[Ben_Itez]

Is Plessis in the CL squad?

I'd noticed he'd dropped down the pecking order but with Spearing in the CL squad you'd think he'd at least make the bench.

Is he injured perhaps? Anyone?

[Will]

Is Plessis in the CL squad?

I'd noticed he'd dropped down the pecking order but with Spearing in the CL squad you'd think he'd at least make the bench.

Is he injured perhaps? Anyone?

Unfortunately Mascherano is suspended for the tie so i can see Lucas deputising and Plessis possibly on the bench, but Jay Spearing will be ahead of Plessis surely? Does he play for the French U21s? they played last week although i never heard out.

[Winstonio]

link anyone?

[saj]

score anyone?

[Neil Young]

FLORA LATE SHOW EARNS RESERVES A POINT

Paul Hassall at Ewood Park 06 April 2009

Substitute Vitor Flora struck a late equaliser as Liverpool Reserves rescued a 1-1 draw against a strong Blackburn Rovers side on Monday night.

The Brazilian hitman pounced with just five minutes remaining after Carlos Villanueva looked to have given the hosts victory with a fierce second-half opener.

It means the Reds' second-string remain bottom of the Barclays Premier Reserve League North - one point adrift of Bolton Wanderers and Middlesbrough - with just three games remaining.

The standings may make bleak viewing for last season's champions but there were moments of encouragements for Ablett and his coaching staff who went into the clash without the key duo of Stephen Darby and Jay Spearing.

On a dour Lancashire night the first moment of incident arrived on four minutes when Aaron Doran's free-kick from the left was misjudged by Dean Bouzanis, leaving Mikel San Jose to hack the ball to safety.

If that seemed like a shaky start from the Australian he almost instantly redeemed himself when he acrobatically denied Keith Treacy after a good run and cross from Martin Olsson.

The home side had gone into the contest with no fewer than six players boasting a wealth of first-team of experience, but rather than be fazed, Liverpool responded by carving out a few opportunities of their own.

Krisztian Nemeth has struggled to hit top gear since returning from injury but almost repaid his manager's faith on 10 minutes when he fizzed an effort just wide of Mark Bunn's goal.

The Hungarian was looking more and more like his old self in the opening stages and almost turned provider two minutes later when he unselfishly cut the ball back for Dani Pacheco, but the Spaniard refused the chance to shoot first time and Gavin Gunning was able to make the block.

Next it was Blackburn's turn to go close when Julio Santa Cruz came within a whisker of guiding Danny Simpson's smart turn and cross beyond Bouzanis.

It all served to illustrate an enterprising start from both sides but as the half wore Rovers began to dominate.

Substitute Nick Blackman twice went close to opening the scoring but on each occasion Bouzanis was well placed to beat the ball to safety.

Victor Palsson then flashed a speculative volley just over but aside from that there was little else for the sparse crowd to cheer at the interval.

With the rain increasing in intensity it seemed inevitable the conditions would either play a key part in helping to conjure up the opening goal or reduce the contest to a forgettable scrap.

Unfortunately for the Reds it was the latter.

Rovers began the second period in determined fashion and after forcing Bouzanis to make a fine save from his free-kick Villanueva went one better on 55 minutes when he drilled a 25 yarder into the bottom right-hand corner of the net.

The hosts continued to look the more likely and Bouzanis pulled off another top drawer save when he tipped Villanueva's thumping effort around the post.

With time running out Ablett introduced Academy youngsters Lauri Dalla Valle and David Amoo into the fray and boosted by renewed enthusiasm the Reds broke forward and snatched a point courtesy of Flora's smart finish.

Liverpoolfc.tv Man of the Match: Dean Bouzanis. Pulled off a string of quality saves to keep the Reds' hopes alive.

Blackburn Rovers Reserves: Mark Bunn, Danny Simpson, Martin Olsson, Zurab Khizanishvili, Gavin Gunning, Bryan Hodge, Aaron Doran (Andrew Haworth 62), Vince Grella (Alex Marrow 62), Julio Santa Cruz, Carlos Villanueva, Keith Treacy (Nick Blackman 26). Unused subs: Andreas Arestidou, Jonathan Flynn.

Liverpool Reserves: Dean Bouzanis, Emmanuel Mendy, Steven Irwin, Mikel San Jose, Godwin Antwi, Victor Palsson, Ryan Crowther, Daniel Ayala (Vitor Flora 80), Krisztian Nemeth (Lauri Dalla Valle 75), Daniel Pacheco, Vincent Weijl (David Amoo 64). Unused subs: Martin Hansen, Nathan Eccleston.

[-V-]

Did anybody see the game?

Are the players really performing as badly as the results suggest?

[souliv]

How can we go from top to bottom in one season ? Are they that dependent on Nemeth ?

[Joe King]

How can we go from top to bottom in one season ? Are they that dependent on Nemeth ?

Gary Ablett is a really bad manager

[Darth Marty]

How can we go from top to bottom in one season ? Are they that dependent on Nemeth ?

I was thinking exactly the same.

[DannyMan2006]

How can we go from top to bottom in one season ? Are they that dependent on Nemeth ?

Striker wise I would say they are. Whatever level you are at you will struggle without a goal scorer. Add in injuries to other players and the strating line up constantly changing and that is the reason we are doing so badly.

But it does not make to much difference. I think players from the reserves are starting to push themselves in the minds of Rafa and that is the true value of Abletts worth.

[Matt]

Gary Ablett is a really bad manager

He was manager last season!

I'd suggest motivation is a big problem - hopefully that will be addressed with a massive cull in the summer and some sensible re-structuring of the league although I don't know if anything could be pushed through quickly enough.

[Joe King]

He was manager last season!

I'd suggest motivation is a big problem - hopefully that will be addressed with a massive cull in the summer and some sensible re-structuring of the league although I don't know if anything could be pushed through quickly enough.

I said it in jest. To be honest, reserve football is pretty pointless. What should matter is how many players can be developed for first team football. I don't think Ablett's job is in jeopardy due to poor results; should be assessed more on youth development and probably is.