Article: Liverpool U18 2 Man Utd U18 3 - FA Youth Cup Qtr Final (Mar 13 2011)

Sunday afternoon, early kick off, Manchester United the visitors. This week though it isn’t the King taking on the Demented One, it’s a clash between the stars of the future. Still, it’s Liverpool v Manchester United and it promises to be an absolute cracker in front of what will hopefully be a bumper attendance. The boys deserve a big crowd, they’ve provided great entertainment in this youth cup run so far.

This fixture has it’s own tradition and there have been some epic battles in this competition in recent years. A 16 year old Michael Owen hit a stunning hat-trick as the reds saw off United in a 1996 quarter final on their way to winning to the trophy, but a year later United had their revenge when they came to Anfield and won 2-1. Liverpool led that game through a goal by Owen, but the game turned on it’s head when an injury forced their most influential player to leave the field. United then took control of the game and came back to dump the reds out. The influential player who went off injured? 16 year old Steven Gerrard.

In 2007, the sides met in a two legged final. United came to Anfield and won the game 2-1 thanks to a penalty at the Kop end conceded by Jay Spearing and an own goal by Robbie Threlfall. Steve Heighway’s side upset the odds though by going to Old Trafford and levelling the tie with a 1-0 victory courtest of a fine strike by Threlfall who made amends for his oggy in the Anfield leg, before the young lads held their nerve to win a penalty shoot out in front of the Stretford End.

The key man that night was Spearing who had a fantastic game at centre half, prompting Heighway to go on sky immediately after the game to declare that his skipper was ready to play in our first team there and then. He would eventually go on to justify Heighway’s confidence in him and is now a regular member of the matchday 18.

Also involved in the youth cup success that year were Martin Kelly and Nathan Eccleston, and the lads who take the field on Sunday will be hoping that they too will go on to feature in the first team.

Some of them are very close to doing so. One of them, John Flanagan, was on the bench in Portugal on thursday night. Whilst the rest of the squad stayed behind in Portugal for some golf and team bonding, right back ‘Flano’ flew back to join up with his mates in the u18s to prepare for this game. Fellow full back Jack Robinson won’t be involved however, an ankle injury has ruled him out, meaning Rodolfo Borrell will have to make at least one change to his usual line up.

Chances are he’ll make more than one. Brad Smith is expected to come in for Robinson, but Andre Wisdom will also come into contention having missed the last couple of rounds with a knee problem. Whilst it may be a little unfair to make changes to a side that has done so well, Wisdom may be seen as being just too good to ignore. Either Stephen Sama or Matty McGiveron will make way if Borrell does bring Wisdom back in.

The loss of Robinson is a blow, he’s an excellent prospect and has been playing above his age group for some time. He was promoted from the Academy to train with the reserve squad at aged just 16 having become the first team’s youngest ever player when he came off the bench on the final day of last season, and he’s part of the England u19 squad despite still being eligible for the group two years below.

Smith is a more than capable understudy however, and he’s one of the best kept secrets at the Academy in my opinion. Most of you won’t know much about him, but he’s a talented lad who has this week been called into the England u17 squad, despite being an Aussie. He’s one of the quickest players at the club and he’s excellent going forward. The presence of Robinson has meant he hasn’t featured in the youth cup this season, but he’s been playing very well in the Academy league and his international call up was well deserved.

Also joining him in that England squad is Raheem Sterling. Unless you’ve been hiding under a rock these last few weeks you will know all about the former QPR youngster and his goalscoring exploits. He shot to fame when he scored five goals in the last round and was called into the 1st team squad for the trip to Prague, and he’s continued to get his name on the scoresheet in the games that followed.

He’ll most likely line up on the left flank with Suso on the opposite side, although the forward players are all interchangable. Centre forward Adam Morgan has been in the goals recently and he is another in that England u17 squad. He can also play out wide if needed. If he starts, look for him to possibly switch with Sterling at some point during the game. I say ‘if’ he starts, as I’m not sure whether Michael Ngoo is fit again. He’s been sidelined for a couple of months, but last I heard he was 50/50 for this one.

Even if he makes it, it’s doubtful that he’d be able to start but he may be included on the bench if he’s up to it. That would be a huge boost to the side as Ngoo is a real handful. Krisztian Adorjan will most likely continue in the number 10 role, which would mean no place in the side again for Portuguese winger Tony Silva. It shows just how spoilt for choice Borrell is that Silva can’t force his way into the side, as he’d probably get in any other u18 side in England. He’s a big talent, but the staff really like Adorjan. He tends to drift in and out of games, but the Hungarian is a clever player and a good passer who can unlock a defence. He gives the side a nice balance.

Barring any injuries, the midfield will once again be Conor Coady and Craig Roddan. It’s a terrific pairing and they play very well together. Coady gets most of the headlines, he’s the England u19 captain despite actually still being an u18 player, and like Flanagan and Robinson he’s been on the bench for our first team. He’s an outstanding prospect, and he’s the heartbeat of the team. His leadership qualities really mark him out as one to watch.

Roddan is the unsung hero of the side though for me. His performances have been exceptional in the youth cup, and he’s played well any time I’ve seen him at the Academy. He isn’t flashy, he’s a midfielder who just keeps things simple, wins the ball and then lays it off to the nearest red shirt. With skilful players like Sterling, Suso and Silva grabbing everybody’s attention, it’s easy for a bread and butter player like Roddan to go un-noticed, but he’s a vital cog in this weel oiled machine. Both Roddan and Coady are tailor made for the midfielder roles in the 4231 system employed by Borrell.

As for United, they’ve dropped points recently in the Academy League to sides that we’ve beaten, but that’s not really a good barometer as the team that plays in the Youth Cup is not always the same as the one that plays on a Saturday morning in the Academy League. Our side is very different, as Wisdom, Flanagan, Robinson and Suso rarely play in league games as they are full time with the reserves, so perhaps United’s side is too.

The dangerman is controversial midfielder Ravel Morrison. He’s more famous for his off the field exploits, and he’s fortunate not to be in prison given some of his antics. Google him and you’ll see. Very good player though, and we’ll need to keep him quiet if he’s playing.

Right winger Larnell Cole is also dangerous, and their defensive pairing of Michele Fornsier and Tom Thorpe is very strong. They’ve got a lot of good players, as you’d expect, but all of their matches so far have been settled by one goal margins. 3-2 against Portsmouth, 1-0 at West Ham and 1-0 against Newcastle. The reds have had a much more convincing route to the quarter finals, winning 5-1 at Leicester before overcoming Palace 3-1 (after extra time) and Southend 9-0 at Anfield.

United are strong in the centre of midfield and that battle could decide the game. We are very strong in there too, and if Coady and Roddan can take control of the midfield and ensure the likes of Suso, Adorjan and Sterling see plenty of the ball, I’d back this team to beat anybody at this level.

It promises to be a cracking game, as Borrell’s side are extremely entertaining and have an abundance of talent in every area of the field. I’d fancy them to beat anybody, but they will need to perform well to beat United who are not going to be the cannon fodder Southend were in the last round. A two legged semi-final with Chelsea awaits the winners.

I’ll predict a Liverpool win, but it won’t be another 9-0.

Line up prediction: Belford; Flanagan, Wisdom, Sama, Smith; Coady, Roddan; Suso, Adorjan, Sterling; Morgan:

Score prediction: 4-2 (Sterling, Suso, Morgan, Coady)

 

Bravo Jimbo! Good article mate! You got some talent with this article writing malarky!

 

Good article James. I'd forgotten all about the QF today, and nice to hear some more detail about the Liverpool team.

I also think 'pool will win it, mainly cos they have a higher level of quality and consistency across the team. United have probably the best individuals in Morrison, Pogba and Cole, but none of them are consistent enough - hat tricks and wonder goals one week, going missing the next. Probably due to them being rotated so much like you said James. We're going to be reliant on big performances from those three if we're to progress.

Live text is here:

http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/live...field-from-11-45am-on-sunday-100252-28321751/

If anyone's interested. 'pool dominated the opening exchanges but Utd are getting a better foothold on the game. No major chances yet.

EDIT: Live stream here:

http://www.vipstand.me/watch/23892/1/-liverpool-res-vs-manchester-united-res.html

 

1-0.

Good goal.

 

Goal to who? and who scored?

 

Liverpool. Morgan assisted by Sterling.

 

Cheers Swarbs, can't get LFCTV on my iPhone so I'm stuck watching AC Milan vs Bari!

 

Lol, you should complain to Apple. I thought there was supposed to be an app for everything!

You could try http://www.vipstand.me/watch/23892/1/-liverpool-res-vs-manchester-united-res.html

Now 2-0 Liverpool. Morgan just scored again.

 

2.2

 

The AC game werent that bad saying that! lol... ended 1-1 with Imbra being sent off...

Heard 6 United Supporters been arrested at Anfield? Both down to 10 after a bizzarre sending off? Whats going on??

 

My folks had to call but while chatting with sound down I saw there was a pen. Liverpool player sent off for the foul, then the pen taker stopped in run-up so had to retake. He protested and got a yellow. He protested that so got a red and another Manc got a yellow, too.

Currently 2-2.

 

Some tosspot Utd fan set off a flare in the crowd. The two groups of fans are at opposite ends of the ground so all he ended up doing was pissing off his own fans. It was probably Ravel Morrison's mates

The penalty was a ball forward that Tunnacliffe controlled, and your two centre backs and keeper basically all got in each other's way. Tunnacliffe flicked the ball past them and one of the centre backs (Sama I think) brought him down. Clear goalscoring opportunity hence red card.

Pogba scored the penalty but feinted when kicking it, which is a yellow (feinting in the run up is fine, but feinting the kick itself is unsporting behaviour). He then threw a wobbly at the ref and got sent off. Stupid Frenchie. Larnell Cole scored the retake.

Cole then skinned the Liverpool leftback, put a low cross in and Morrison scored from about eight yards out at the back post.

Game's slowed down a lot now it's 2-2 with ten mins to go. Neither side wants to make a mistake.

 

We seem to hold the bal realy well, patient build up, but missing the killer pass.

 

Damn.

 

How the **** are they reds? Pathetic ref. Cody didnt need to do that, might have given up any chance of an equaliser.

 

And now 3-2 United. Brilliant left foot volley by Morrison into the bottom corner from about 16 yards out after a corner by Cole was half cleared.

Game seems to be going pretty much as I expected. Liverpool played better as a team, particularly in the first half, but brilliant displays from Cole and Morrison for United.

And now it's nine a piece. Cody and Blackett sent both sent off. Cody kicked out at Blackett, they both squared up and then Blackett caught him in the face. Bloody kids.

 

It's a good bloody job we are going out here... Most of the team are getting suspended LOL

 

Even at youth level the rivalry is to the max!!

 

Clearly, there should be a total media blackout after this, followed up next week by accusations of FA hypocrisy, whining, gurning and drunken ramblings from Rodolfo.

 

But we won. So obviously the ref got everything right, the FA are completely impartial, and the natural order of the universe is preserved