Reserves / Youth teams thread 12/13

[Alex]

Liverpools U18s have got a 14 and 15 year old starting in defence today. Only 2 years from the first team then!

[SB]

Liverpools U18s have got a 14 and 15 year old starting in defence today. Only 2 years from the first team then!

Wow that's young hey. Hope they do well.

[BigChief]

Playing manure U21 today lads from 6pm. Got my sky on record.

[RedReet]

Aye, 7PM KO. Looking forward to it.

Also play Leeds in FA Youth cup on Thursday which should also be good.

[SB]

So the U18's won 4-0 wasn't it?

[RedReet]

I thought it was 4-1?

Didn't see match, only the goals.

[RedReet]

A very youthful Liverpool u18 side recorded a hugely impressive 4-1 win over Sunderland at the Academy on Saturday afternoon. Four different players got on the scoresheet as an unfamiliar line up turned on the style for coach Steve Cooper, who was able to rest almost all of his regular starters ahead of this week’s FA Youth Cup game with Leeds United at Anfield.

The side contained only four regular starters at this level, goalkeeper Ryan Fulton, centre back Niall Heaton, midfielder Dan Trickett-Smith and striker Jerome Sinclair. The rest of the line up consisted of fringe u18 squad players and u16 players, as well as a 14 year old right back and 15 year old left back. All things considered, this went much better than Cooper could have hoped for, as the scoreline actually flattered Sunderland.

This might be the youngest side we’ve ever fielded at this level, it’s certainly the youngest I can remember since I’ve been watching Academy games. You’d never have guessed though, they played some terrific stuff and it was like a mirror image of the first team at times seeing how they passed the ball and then pressed to win it back. Considering how few of the team have played together before, not to mention how inexperienced they are at this level, this was a hell of a performance.

The young Reds took control of the game from the start and Sunderland were indebted to their goalkeeper for keeping them in it for as long as he did. He was first called into action on eight minutes when skipper Jordan Rossiter fed Trickett-Smith who picked out the run of Ojo on the left. He ran at the defence, cut inside onto his right foot and hit a low shot that the keeper parried away.

A minute later he produced an outstanding stop to keep out a 30 yard snapshot from Sinclair. It was a terrific effort by the young striker, who just let fly out of nowhere with his left foot. The ball was headed for the top corner but Burke clawed it away at full stretch. From the corner Trickett-Smith headed over after meeting Kent’s superb delivery at the near post. Kent’s corners were impressive all day, interestingly he took them both sides and used both feet, Luis Garcia style. Not many players can deliver a ball as well as that with either foot.

Trickett-Smith should have scored soon after following a lovely turn and pass by Sinclair that sent the midfielder clear in the penalty area. His low shot was well saved by the feet of the beleaguered Mackem keeper.

Cameron Brannagan was next to be foiled by the Sunderland stopper, he won the ball in the middle of the park, surged forward and sent a powerful shot goalwards that Burke tipped over the bar. The keeper’s resistance was eventually broken from the resulting corner. Kent’s brilliant ball in was just about cleared, but the ball only went back to the winger who whipped in another delicious cross that was missed by Heaton but turned in by Rossiter from close range.

No more than the Reds had deserved, it had been one way traffic and Sunderland hadn’t been able to mount any kind of attack. Then suddenly they were level out of nothing, a hopeful ball through the centre was missed by Rossiter and the Sunderland forward Blinko ran clear and buried the ball past Fulton in the bottom corner. A cruel blow, but all it did was appear to make the young Reds angry as they peppered Burke’s goal for the remainder of the half and scored two more goals.

Within a minute of Sunderland drawing level Cooper’s lads had the lead once again, as another corner from Kent caused problems and Sinclair lashed the ball in from close range. Seconds later Ojo did well on the left and his stinging drive was tipped over by the overworked Burke.

Rossiter’s clever first time ball then found Sinclair in the box, and he did well to make space for a shot that was once again kept out by the feet of the keeper. The third goal did finally arrive a couple of minutes before the break when Ojo skinned his man down the left and drove into the box before cutting it back for Brannagan, who adjusted his feet well to place the ball past the keeper for his first goal of the season.

The second half was all Liverpool although they didn’t create quite as many clear openings as they had in the opening 45 minutes. Ojo was a constant threat down the left but too often his crosses didn’t find a team-mate. Both he and Trickett-Smith gave Sunderland all manner of difficulties, and it was surprising that it took so long for the fourth goal to come.

Sinclair went close to his second of the game when he was released by Trickett-Smith and went round the keeper, only for his shot to be headed against the crossbar by a defender who had got back on the goal-line. Good effort from Sinclair, terrific defending by the Sunderland lad.

Kent then had a great chance when he collected a poor clearance from the keeper, cut inside and then blasted his shot high over the bar. Trickett-Smith had another great chance when Ojo did well in a tight space and his cross fell to the former Crewe youngster, but his shot was deflected wide off a defender.

Trickett-Smith then thought he should have had a penalty when he dribbled past the centre half into the box, he was stumbling a little and was helped on his way to the ground by a Sunderland player, but the referee was unimpressed and waved play on. The correct decision I’d say, although I’ve seen them given.

A minute later Trickett-Smith won the ball on the edge of the box and then sent a shot inches over the bar. Sinclair was then denied by the keeper who raced out quickly to beat the striker to Rossiter’s excellent through ball.

There was an injury scare for the Reds 15 minutes from time when Fulton collided with Heaton as he came out to claim a cross. Both players needed lengthy treatement but thankfully were able to continue.

Cooper made a double change ten minutes from time when he sent on Louis Robles and Harry Wilson for Sinclair and Kent, and with three minutes left Trickett-Smith finally got the goal his performance deserved when he rifled into the top corner from 20 yards after Rossiter had won the ball and started the attack in typical swashbuckling style.

Trickett-Smith was then replaced by Adam Phillips, and Ojo went close to adding a spectacular fifth when his mazy run ended with a shot that went just wide. It had been a perfect day for the Reds but ended on a sour note in stoppage time when Rossiter limped off with an injury. Hopefully it’s nothing serious as he’s a fine prospect and will be hoping to play some part in the game at Anfield next Thursday.

He was a strong contender for the star man, but Trickett-Smith’s fantastic late goal just swings it in his favour. Special mention to the two full backs as well, who were both making their first appearance at this level and who both performed beyind their years. 15 year old Sam Hart on the left is a recent signing who spent several years at Manchester United, he was steady in his work and kept his winger quiet. 14 year old Corey Whelan on the other side was also very solid and can be proud of how he coped against lads much older than him. There’s not many kids of that age get a chance to play for the u18s, so he might be a name to look out for.

Team: Fulton; Whelan, Brewitt, Heaton, Hart; Brannagan, Rossiter, Trickett-Smith (Phillips); Kent (Wilson), Sinclair (Robles), Ojo:

http://www.liverpoolway.co.uk/blog/?p=1815

[SB]

I thought it was 4-1?

Didn't see match, only the goals.

You could be right. I know we scored 4 & we won. Nothing else matters.

[BigChief]

Saw the U18 game, we did well. Rather than focus on individuals I was surprised at the system we were playing: split CBs with Rossiter dropping really deep to pick up the ball, ala Lucas. Basically just the way the seniors are set up. I realise I might be late to this party, but I was pleasantly surprised we were employing this so early in players development rather than, for example, the U21s.

The other pleasing element was that midfielders flooded the box whenever possible. Not just hang about outside waiting for the second ball. Wish the seniors would take note of this.

The comparison of Rossiter to Lucas was deliberate as he was almost a doppleganger in terms of play. Hardly ever lost possession and didn't go for Hollywood balls unless it was absolutely on. Trickett-Smith scored two and looked good throughout, probably MOTM.

We had a full back called Hart, apparently an ex-manure youth, but he didn't impress too much. Didn't do anything wrong but didn't appear to possess anything (pace, trickery) that will help him stand out. Sinclair played like he was a level below his standard. Held back from going full out probably on instruction with the FA Youth Cup coming up.

[Shaggy]

Shelvey, Sterling and Suso all start for the reserves tonight.

[Shackanory]

I'm hoping Shelvey won't just be covering for Pelosi, but will be staying there for a while. Nowhere near good enough for the first team, not by a long shot.

[RedReet]

Shelvey, Sterling and Suso all start for the reserves tonight.

Very strong looking team. Should win this.

Maybe worth it's own thread?

I'm hoping Shelvey won't just be covering for Pelosi, but will be staying there for a while. Nowhere near good enough for the first team, not by a long shot.

Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz...

[AnfieldForever]

What time is KO?

[RedReet]

7:00.

[RedReet]

Looking forward to seeing Coady back at CB.