On 30th April 2010 Rodolfo Borrell stated in an interview that he was surprised at how poor the academy set up was at Liverpool FC. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/l/liverpool/8611991.stm In the interview he also states it would take 2 years before any players were ready for promotion to the first team. 2 years later and Borrell has made good on his promises with Robinson, Kelly, Spearing and recently Flanagan all featuring in the first team. The development of the academy has also continued with Liverpool opening another centre in Northern Ireland at the end of 2010. Developing and promoting players from the academy is a vital part of modern football, this process can save a club millions of pounds and provide the club with a player that has much more of a sense of loyalty to the club that has been a mentor for many years. Manchester United are a great example of this. The emergence of David Beckham, Nicky Butt, Paul Scholes and the Neville brothers in the mid 90ââ¬â¢s set United up nicely for a period of dominance. If Manchester United did not have the said players coming through it may have cost a lot to overhaul the squad at the time. As we know the now infamous quote from Alan Hansen regarding the United team at this time turned out to be completely the opposite. Are Liverpool on the verge of replicating what United did bringing in so many young players at once? Iââ¬â¢ve already mentioned 4 players who are either playing or pushing for a first team place but there is also Jay Spearing who at 22 is still considered a youngster and whose constantly improving performances are starting to get people talking. Dani Pacheco is getting a lot of praise for his performances at Norwich. As is Ayala at Derby and previously at Hull. Further down the pecking order but maybe more talented than those already mentioned Conor Coady, Raheem Sterling, and the amazing Suso are on the edge of things but may surprise us by making that step up earlier than expected. There are others but I think the players mentioned are the most likely to play first team Football. Remember ââ¬ÅYou donââ¬â¢t win anything with kidsââ¬Â.
Good article. Rafa said his investment in youth would be a success if he could get 5 players through into the first team squad.There is currently 5,and there is a strong possibility that 3 more may make the grade and those three that are strongly tipped are Raheem Sterling,Andre Wisdom and Conor Coady.Now thats not being successful thats over-achieving.
Don't forget the youngsters we have signed as well. Shelvy is looking like a great buy. Has anyone seen anything from the lad we got from Coventry in January, Conor Thomas I think
Well Kenny seems to like him.He's keeping Joe Cole on the bench.He hasn't done a lot.But then again he's only 19.I reckon there is a lot more to come from him.
Shelvey played well when he came on against Fulham (great pass for the Suarez goal). Wasn't sure about him at the start but seems to be settling in now. Wilson also didn't get a mention, i'm not so sure about him yet but hopefully with a few games under his belt he will be a good player for us. We are overloaded with youngsters that look like they may make the grade. However chances are most will be good but not good enough.
Some people say that the youth and reserves is competitive,It is.Its dog eat dog.Its survival of the fittest.Now some of the older members of the under 18s will have to be moved up to the reserves to make way for the batch of under 16s that are old enough to play for the under 18s.The likes of Suso and Toni Silva will likely be moved up.Adam Morgan is only 16 so he's got 2 years left at under 18.Now the ones that possibly will make it are the ones that bypass levels.Look at Jack Robinson and John Flanagan,they've played little or no reserve team football and have overtaken Steven Irwin,Steven Darby and Alex Cooper.Raheem Sterling still only 16 has overtaken Tom Ince,Nathan Eccleston and David Amoo.Conor Coady is possibly the next midfielder to push up the same way Jay Spearing did.
Excellent article. The youth system does seem to be producing players. The owners want younger players and having players coming through the academy is an excellent way of getting younger players in and around the first-team. Players like Spearing, Pacheco, Suso, Sterling and Coady and many others are the players which, I believe, will be the future of Liverpool Football Club. The future is very bright indeed.
I think the point about loyalty is important it removes the Torres factor, you won't get Jay Spearing or Flanagan buggering off to Chelsea so you produce a player that wants to remain at your club.
Luvgonzo. Is it just me or can you see a sprinkling of Jamie Carragher in the way John Flanagan plays.I'm not saying that John Flanagan is the ''new Jamie Carragher'' or anything,its just the no nonsense approach he has.He has that Carragher toughness about him.He's unfazed by everything.He's a great prospect.
didnt realise flanno was as strong as he is till the other night, and yeah i see the same attitude carra has in him
Am I the only one who seems completely underwhelmed by Shelvey? 90% of the times I've seen him come on as a sub, he's failed to settle into the game, lost the ball more than he's kept it and doesn't pick up the same positions (pass & move style) that the other players do. He needs a year on loan in my opinion, he's not ready for the first team, not with our ambitions for next year certainly. Flanno and Robinson look like great prospects, but again, not ready for a full season in the top flight. Bit-part players, cup competitions and sub appearances next season for me and blood them in slowly. We can see they'll be quality players, let them develop naturally and not rush them into the first team.
After watching Flanagan play many times for the youth team, his best attribute by far is his physical 'no nonsense' approach to the game. Don't get me wrong he has a great all round game, but the strength and determination of the youngster is incredible. 100% convinced he will have a great future at Liverpool. My opinion on Shelvey is he seems to be lacking a little confidence. He has played well every time he has played, but yet to really excel. Watched him play for England and he was fantastic, and it was clear his confidence was sky high. I personally think he could do with starting a couple of games to build him up. Bit risky at this stage though if we want Europa league (i only do if Kenny plays the youngsters) so i think Shelvey should be starting most of the pre season games, i have a good feeling that could reveal a gem of a player. Plus, hopefully Sterling and Coady may start to break through sooner rather than later, and maybe even Suso coming good. Not forgetting Pacheco of course. Overall, very promising signs indeed.
Hopefully we'll beat spurs and secure 5th (we'll be 5 points clear...?) and then we can stick the young lads on at Villa. Kenny is clearly thinking about them a lot and drafting a couple in here and there where needed, so it would be a good opportunity to give a few their debut. Obviously keep the likes of Carragher and Dirk on, to guide them through it and so it 'feels' like a senior game, but in the other positions we could give them a chance. I'd love to see a traditional 4-4-2 with toni silva and sterling on either wing, with a view to having them as back up players next season. Plus Suso in a midfield/attacking type role too.
A bit of Carra in Flanagan and Kelly... Future back four of Flanagan Kelly Ayala Robinson could be formidable.
I'm a big fan of Sterling, pre season will big a big deal for him he could force his way onto the first team bench. Not so sure about Silva yet.
I know what you mean, I do sometimes see him as a little overhyped. Although he does have rare moments of brilliance and I think he'd benefit more from full games rather than sub appearances. It seems he takes a little while to get settled in, but when he does he'll produce moments of magic like that through ball for Suarez etc.. Perhaps he could do with a year on loan at a smaller club. If Blackpool stay up, then I'd want him to get a try out there as an AM. But you can see at the likes of Wolves, Villa, Birmingham he could learn a lot.
Very formidable although I'd be vary wary of Flanagan in the future. He's already been identified as a hothead, and with an interview with Borrell I think it was, he said he didn't think Flanagan would make it in Football because he was far too hot headed and reckless in his challenging. You can see that's been toned down a bit, but I can see him picking up a fair few red and yellow cards in his career.
I agree with you, but the great pass he made for Suarez goal against Fulham and Suarez reaction to the pass seemed to give him a boost and he played well throughout that game.
I think you have every right to be proud of you academy, however you cant take credit for Shelvey or Wilson both were pretty established with Charlton and Rangers before you bought them. Spearing, Flannaghan, Robinson and Kelly are fantastic players and I think will establish themselves over the next 3 years as first teamers. My club, Hull City, have had the privillage of two of your youngsters this season. Ayala was awesome for us (until Woy wanted to blame someone for your poor performances and recalled Ayala early) I dont think he is Liverpool standard but definately you can see he is well coach and will be a good prem standard player. I think we will sign him on a full deal this summer. We have also had Amoo, and to be honest didnt think much of him,poor positioning, not great on the ball. Any of your other lads need some game time please feel free to send them down the M62, maybe Strearling and Coady?? Good luck for next season, think you will be contenders!!
We have big hopes for Ayala and I would agree Amoo needs more time, Sterling and Coady may well play some part for us next season so hands off.
