Reserves/Youth Teams thread 10/11

[Reece]

No Suso?

I suppose there's a logical reason and I'm getting my hopes up for nothing?

He is training at Melwood this week (along with Coady).

[Assassin]

I'd like to introduce you to a word: sarcasm.

Hi Sarcasm, pleased to meet you

[RedReet]

He is training at Melwood this week (along with Coady).

I know, but would that make a difference? Would Cole not have been with them?

[Shaggy]

Joe Cole produced an impressive 45 minute cameo as Liverpool Reserves' defence of the Lancashire Senior Cup got underway with a 1-0 success against Manchester City on Wednesday night.

The Reds No.10 was a surprise starter for the second-string's encounter in Hyde and played in a free role just off lone striker, Nikola Saric as John McMahon's men booked their place in the last four courtesy of Gerardo Bruna's cool finish just past the half hour mark.

The former Chelsea star showed some fine touches throughout a first period dominated by the Reds and gave watching manager, Kenny Dalglish food for thought ahead of Saturday's first-team clash at Wolves.

But it wasn't just Cole who shone for Liverpool.

The likes of Tom Ince, fresh from his loan spell at Notts County, and Dani Pacecho were also instrumental in all of the away side's best moves.

After an edgy opening in which City went close, Cole had the Reds' first chance of note when he cut inside and left two City defenders for dead before firing a shot just wide.

On 28 minutes a great move instigated by Ince saw Saric play in Cole on the edge of the box but despite a smart turn and finish from the No.10, his celebration was cut short by the sight of the referee's assistant's flag for offside.

The Reds had suddenly found their groove and two minutes later Saric sent Ince galloping in on goal but City stopper, David Gonzalez did well to advance off his line and clear the danger.

Pacheco then saw a long range effort from a quickly taken free-kick deflect just past the upright before McMahon's team finally got the reward their inventive attacking play deserved.

A great ball by Ince found Jack Robinson marauding down the left. The full-back cut a clever pass back into the path of Cole and although the 29-year-old's shot was well saved by Gonzalez, Bruna was on hand to coolly fire in the rebound.

As the half came to an end Liverpool continued to ask all of the questions and Bruna came close to doubling the lead when he was well thwarted by Gonzalez. The Argentine then had another chance on 44 minutes when he seized upon Cole's exquisite flick, but again Gonzalez denied him with a smart save.

At the interval McMahon replaced Cole with David Amoo while Emmanuel Mendy came on for the sold Danny Wilson.

However, it did little to alter the pattern of the game as Liverpool continued to control the proceedings.

Amoo broke into the box on the left hand side and fired in a shot that flew straight into the midriff of Gonzalez.

Then Ince tried an audacious long range lob that dropped just shy of the crossbar before City finally came close when Ball headed wide.

The hosts pushed for a leveller late on and John Guidetti perhaps had their best chance with a rasping 20-yard drive that Peter Gulacsi did well to push around the post.

However, Liverpool remained the stronger side and McMahon opted to give new signing Jason Banton a 12 minute run out as they eased to a well deserved win.

Man City Reserves: Gonzalez, Smith, McGivern, M Johnson (Kay 45), Wabara, Veseli, A Mancini, Tutte, Tchuimeni-Nimely (Ball 25), Guidetti, McDermott (Chantler 77). Unused subs: Karius, Roman.

Liverpool Reserves: Gulacsi, Flanagan, Robinson, Darby (c), Wilson (Mendy 45), Roberts, Pacheco, Bruna, Ince, Cole (Amoo 45 (Banton 78)), Saric. Unused subs: Bouzanis, Palsson, Smedley.

[Drago]

The Reds No.10 was a surprise starter for the second-string's encounter in Hyde and played in a free role just off lone striker

Wonder if we can read into this at all?

[RedReet]

The Reds No.10 was a surprise starter for the second-string's encounter in Hyde and played in a free role just off lone striker

Wonder if we can read into this at all?

Joe: Kenny, I was brought here on the promise that I'd play in the centre off the forward.

Kenny: Neh bother son, John will play you there for the rest of the season.

[Drago]

[SB]

Joe Cole produced an impressive 45 minute cameo as Liverpool Reserves' defence of the Lancashire Senior Cup got underway with a 1-0 success against Manchester City on Wednesday night.

The Reds No.10 was a surprise starter for the second-string's encounter in Hyde and played in a free role just off lone striker, Nikola Saric as John McMahon's men booked their place in the last four courtesy of Gerardo Bruna's cool finish just past the half hour mark.

The former Chelsea star showed some fine touches throughout a first period dominated by the Reds and gave watching manager, Kenny Dalglish food for thought ahead of Saturday's first-team clash at Wolves.

But it wasn't just Cole who shone for Liverpool.

The likes of Tom Ince, fresh from his loan spell at Notts County, and Dani Pacecho were also instrumental in all of the away side's best moves.

After an edgy opening in which City went close, Cole had the Reds' first chance of note when he cut inside and left two City defenders for dead before firing a shot just wide.

On 28 minutes a great move instigated by Ince saw Saric play in Cole on the edge of the box but despite a smart turn and finish from the No.10, his celebration was cut short by the sight of the referee's assistant's flag for offside.

The Reds had suddenly found their groove and two minutes later Saric sent Ince galloping in on goal but City stopper, David Gonzalez did well to advance off his line and clear the danger.

Pacheco then saw a long range effort from a quickly taken free-kick deflect just past the upright before McMahon's team finally got the reward their inventive attacking play deserved.

A great ball by Ince found Jack Robinson marauding down the left. The full-back cut a clever pass back into the path of Cole and although the 29-year-old's shot was well saved by Gonzalez, Bruna was on hand to coolly fire in the rebound.

As the half came to an end Liverpool continued to ask all of the questions and Bruna came close to doubling the lead when he was well thwarted by Gonzalez. The Argentine then had another chance on 44 minutes when he seized upon Cole's exquisite flick, but again Gonzalez denied him with a smart save.

At the interval McMahon replaced Cole with David Amoo while Emmanuel Mendy came on for the sold Danny Wilson.

However, it did little to alter the pattern of the game as Liverpool continued to control the proceedings.

Amoo broke into the box on the left hand side and fired in a shot that flew straight into the midriff of Gonzalez.

Then Ince tried an audacious long range lob that dropped just shy of the crossbar before City finally came close when Ball headed wide.

The hosts pushed for a leveller late on and John Guidetti perhaps had their best chance with a rasping 20-yard drive that Peter Gulacsi did well to push around the post.

However, Liverpool remained the stronger side and McMahon opted to give new signing Jason Banton a 12 minute run out as they eased to a well deserved win.

Man City Reserves: Gonzalez, Smith, McGivern, M Johnson (Kay 45), Wabara, Veseli, A Mancini, Tutte, Tchuimeni-Nimely (Ball 25), Guidetti, McDermott (Chantler 77). Unused subs: Karius, Roman.

Liverpool Reserves: Gulacsi, Flanagan, Robinson, Darby (c), Wilson (Mendy 45), Roberts, Pacheco, Bruna, Ince, Cole (Amoo 45 (Banton 78)), Saric. Unused subs: Bouzanis, Palsson, Smedley.

Ince was the MOTM. I hope we get him re-signed quick smart. Apparently Paul's "coming in" to see Kenny about his situation. If he's not prepared to sign a new contract with us, why the hell should we let him go back on loan. He can rot in the reserves if that's the case. Hopefully the King can get things sorted ASAP.

[SB]

Conor Coady is still some way from figuring in Liverpool's Premier League squad, but the prospects of one of the country's most promising teenagers have improved immeasurably in the past week.

The arrival of new manager Kenny Dalglish has injected extra optimism into the club's talented youngsters, who have seen instant call-ups for local lads Martin Kelly and Jay Spearing.

At 17, Coady is younger than those two, but shrewd judges have already recognised the quality of a player is equally at home in his preferred midfield role or in the centre of defence.

Dalglish already knows all about Coady after coaching him while he was in charge of the club's academy last year - and Coady relished the experience.

He told the Liverpool's official website last year:"He was absolutely brilliant. He's the King, isn't he? He's fantastic for Liverpool and a great role model for us to have here at the academy.
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"My dad loved him from the start, so I knew all about him when he joined us and it's an honour to work with him."

Within days of taking over from Roy Hodgson, Dalglish invited Coady to spend a few days training with the senior players at Melwood.

Other academy players will also spend some time at first team training in the rest of the season, underlining that Dalglish is keen to develop a supply line that had dried up since the emergence of Jamie Carragher and Steven Gerrard.

Thoes two homegrown stars are the favourite players of Coady, who has been with his hometown club since the age of eight. He says:"I tried to model my game on Jamie Carragher and Steven Gerrard. I like the passion and desire they have for the club, and they're also local lads."

Coady, who has been at the club since he was eight, has emerged as a natural leader while establishing himself in the reserves this season.

He was captain of the England under-17's team that won the European Championships last May and has since played for the under-18's against Poland.

Coady is proving equally impressive off the pitch, judging from reaction to his recent visit to Moorfield Primary School in Widnes.

His speech to the pupils impressed headmaster Andrew Williams, who said:"He talked to the children about the importance of working hard at school, working hard at your talent, and respect for all people."

Conor Coady - remember the name. FanHouse predicts you will be hearing a lot more about this young man in the near future.

http://www.fanhouse.co.uk/2011/01/20/on-the-bench-with-conor-coady-making-impressive-progress-at/

[Arn]

Kenny Dalglish today paid tribute to Rafael Benitez for his part in reviving Liverpool's youth academy.

Conor Coady and Suso, two mainstays of the current under-17 squad, were being familiarised with Melwood, the club's training ground, this week as part of plans to blood more youngsters, from the previously ailing centre of excellence in Kirkby, into the senior ranks in the long-term

Kirkby underwent a significant transformation in the summer of 2009 when Benitez, then manager of the Reds, enlisted the services of Rodolfo Borrell and Pep Segura - key figures in Barcelona's La Masia academy set-up.

In addition to recruiting his compatriots, the Spaniard also brought one-time chief scout Frank McParland back to his former club to oversee the progression of Liverpool's rising stars.

And Dalglish has hailed Benitez, who left the club acrimoniously last summer, for his efforts in restoring the Anfield production line following more than a decade of decline.

He said: "I wouldn't go and say there are any kids who played in the Youth Cup against Crystal Palace are going to be first team [yet] but the progress at the Academy in the last year and a half has been absolutely fantastic.

"That's great credit to Rafa who brought in Pep Segura, Rodolfo Borrell and Frank McParland. He reorganised the whole Academy and you can see the benefit in the kids now. It's fantastic to see.

"The reserve team's average age has been drastically reduced. Whether we get them through or not, we'd never put that pressure on them, but we're clearly encouraged by the work that's being done there and it's a work in progress."

Clicky

[sitoca]

That's why he is the King. Recognition and respect when it's deserving rather than taking potshots all the time.

[Shaggy]

Not sure why he's still here to be honest.

Liverpool have today confirmed that Stephen Darby has joined Notts County on loan until the end of the season.

The Reds defender enjoyed a successful spell with the League One outfit earlier in the campaign and will now return to Meadow Lane until May 31, 2011.

[dww]

I think he and Spearing have basically survived as someone in the club has always wanted there to be local players around. Both allowed to stagnate and were not obviously good enough for the first team, essentially the best of a bad lot. Players who appeared to be similarly decent at United have regularly buggered off to forge decent careers. Having young players hang around in that way has been bad for both us and them.

Hopefully as the changes instigated by Rafa in the youth system take effect it will happen less often.

[Pablo]

Joe Cole makes his Lancashire Senior Cup debut tonight as the reserves take on Irlam Miners Welfare Manchester City.

Shows how desperate to are to win some silverware this season

[dww]

Shows how desperate to are to win some silverware this season