Liverpool FC Youth Teams

[Venton]

**** from Trickett-Smith there who just put his hands in the air when he gave it away instead of getting back to try to recover it.

[Venton]

I'd be amazed if we got anything out of this game, this lot are a proper team. To be frank I'm surprised they're allowed in against the other U21 teams, seems a bit daft. They are a lot older and play in a proper league.

Trickett-Smith again playing our defenders into bother. Whelan does well to clear. Enrique plays a majestic cross-field pass straight to a Benfica player.

[Venton]

Nice bit of skill from Sinclair who runs onto a pass and gets a cross in - it was over the line first though.

[Venton]

Half-time. Benfica too strong for us. We could get a lucky break but I can't see it at the moment.

[Venton]

Easy goal for Carvalio who runs straight onto a pass to slot home. Awful tracking and defending, having given the ball away on the half way line.

Liverpool 0-2 Benfica

[Venton]

Benfica absolutely carved us open there, we were statuesque really. Nice goal though, just a couple of touches to the goal.

Our players are isolated when they get the ball and technically poor at the moment. We're also hesitant and making bad choices. I know Benfica are good but that doesn't explain all of our inadequacies.

Trickett-Smith is having a howler.

[Venton]

Jack Dunn takes the ball down just outside the box, he doesn't look to pass or turn the defender, he just swings his leg at it and mis-kicks it straight up and over. Rubbish. We are not at the races at all.

[Venton]

Nearly a third goal for Benfica, exactly the same way - break and a couple of incisive passes before the shot on goal. Corner to Benfica but we deal with it.

[Venton]

A good break by Brannagan but a poor quality pass to Dunn (who doesn't exactly cover himself with glory dealing with it) is knocked out for a corner. Our delivery doesn't clear the first Benfica head.

[Venton]

Sinclair gets his head to the ball from our free-kick from O'Hanlon's boot but he doesn't read the flight and knocks it down then up so it's easy for the keeper. He ricks his shoulder as he does it too.

[Venton]

Hurray, the ref falls on his arse all by himself. That's lifted the mood somewhat.

[Venton]

The Benfica keeper fluffs his clearance and it rebounds off the onrushing Sinclair - but it does wide.

[Venton]

The Benfica firecrackers have obscured the cameras thankfully.

[Venton]

Well, that sums up our performance. We break and Brannagan takes it up the pitch. As he gets to the box he can either get a shot in or pass it to Sinclair. It's a time to be decisive and positive. Instead, he dithers, then does neither, just hopelessly flops his foot at it and it's gathered by the keeper. It's not a sign of greatness is it?

[Venton]

And it's all over, Liverpool 0-2 Benfica.

We've lost 2 on the bounce now and are as good as out of the competition I think. Firth had a good game, Whelan and O'Hanlon. No-one else impressed me really.

Looking at Sinclair and Dunn - I can't see them making that step up. I think they've found their level around here and won't make much further development. Sinclair just isn't imaginative enough in his game and Dunn doesn't have pace. Disappointing really.