Good to see the long list of youngsters going to internationals. Shelvey seems to have more about him than Pacheco or Spearing had when they first appeared so I'd keep subbing him as he gets more and more confidence. That assist was sweet. And let's not forget he's been playing left back!
Interesting to see that you guys don't rate Shelvey. Admittedly he hasn't set the league alight as such, but i think it says a lot that he's pretty much Kenny's first choice sub. Also what i like about him is that he isn't afraid to take risks. You guys say he lacks confidence, and maybe he still does, but from what i see he isn't afraid to make ambitious passes or have a shot at goal (both evident against Fulham). He actually reminds me of Gerrard somewhat- can ping a pass and gets in good attacking positions but is positionally a bit naive. Of course he has some way to go to be the new Stevie but that's what i reckon, and the way Kenny is playing him in various positions should help with that. Next time you watch him maybe notice that if he is giving the ball away or blazing a shot wide it is usually in an advanced position or trying to do something that if it came off, would lead to a goal. With the composure that comes with experience he could be a talent. I think he has a way to go however to be a balanced midfielder as his defensive side is lacking, and i wouldn't trust him in a game where we were likely to come under significant pressure. He's in an awkward position- he was the young talent playing first team football at Charlton, who then became a sub for the first team, star of the reserves, and star for the England youth team. He's probably not sure how much freedom/responsibility he has. Combine this with the turmoil everyone has gone through at the club, and it's no surprise he has maybe not settled into the first team straight away. But anyway- he's the new Stevie for me
As for midfielders go,the one player that possibly is the ''New Stevie'' is Conor Coady. From what I've heard,he's a natural born leader.He's just like John Flanagan as he's tough as old boots.For 18 years old,he's very strong.He's developed physically in the same way John Flanagan did and can handle himself.
Ayala is off mate, he won't be here next season. What a load of rubbish, Borrell would never say anything like that.
I agree with that. I doubt it if Rodolfo Borrell said any such thing. As for Shelveys pass for Suarez. This is just my opinion,it was Suarez' movement that told Shelvey where to pass the ball.It was instinctive. Space and movement is key to success.Ian Rush used to say that kenny used to say to him ''Run into that space and I'll find you''.It worked to perfection as the two developed an understanding. Shelveys pass was putting it mildly a 'Jan Molby pass',However for it to be successful the reciever has to open up the space in order to make use of it.
http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/news/latest-news/flanno-fowler-and-the-new-carra You're right it wasn't Borrell, it was McParland.
He is aggressive,It seems that he's learned to channel his aggression.Some players still haven't learned to channel it.Wayne Rooney,Joey Barton,Craig Bellamy.
That's how i understood it too! Sounds like Flanno is one that might have slipped through the net in years gone by. I think he's looked less rash as the games have gone on, but having that passion is important anyway. A strong tackle can lift the crowd in the same way a decent shot or trick can. Also whilst he reminds me of Carra in that sense, he's far more comfortable on the ball than Carra was at that age. That's hopefully a reflection of the passing game that's starting to filter through the age groups. Could reap huge benefits 5-10 years down the line.
What a boost our youngsters have given us this year. Kelly, Flano, Robinson, Spearing finding his feet. Great for the club. I am a firm believer that you need a strong British/Irish presense in the team. The other night 3/4 of our defenders were British. This is how it should be in this league. The funny thing is, out of all our youngsters I fancied Sterling/Wilson/Ayala and Suso to make the step first. We stil have them to come. Imagine if they made the grade! Things are looking good. What i'd do for another Fowler!
You never know, Morgan has scored plenty this season - could turn into the next Fowler. What I think is both great and odd at the same time is the amazing number of English players in the Academy, most other acadamies steal their players from abroad at a young~ish age and bring them up in England, whereas we're encouraging English, Irish and Scottish talent. Impressively, the talent from Liverpool has been tremendous! It's nice to see us picking real homegrown talent just how it used to be 20 years ago. People who've grown up supporting Liverpool/Everton
That's how i understood it too! Sounds like Flanno is one that might have slipped through the net in years gone by. I think he's looked less rash as the games have gone on, but having that passion is important anyway. A strong tackle can lift the crowd in the same way a decent shot or trick can. Also whilst he reminds me of Carra in that sense, he's far more comfortable on the ball than Carra was at that age. That's hopefully a reflection of the passing game that's starting to filter through the age groups. Could reap huge benefits 5-10 years down the line. ---------------------------------------------- Excellent point. He has come from nowhere. The big tips out of the players Rafa had for the right and left back slots were actually Alex Cooper and Steven Irwin and Steven Darby.Now John Flanagan and Jack Robinson have come from nowhere.Okay I know Jack Robinson made his debut under Rafa when he was 16,but that was at the end of Rafa's reign. I'm refering to prior to that. There could be players that could bypass the reserves like these two did and end up in the first team squad,thus coming from nowhere.Raheen Sterling I reckon will spend no length in the reserves as thats where he's heading next season.Suso?Possibly.Coady?Same thing.
It's often the case that you get a couple who are ahead of the rest in the youth team, but never make it to the senior team. They develop quicker than the rest and then don't improve much beyond that. You always get those who are 'ok' in the academy suddenly bursting through.
I also think you find that players who are 'ahead' of the rest in the youth team often have a tendency to rest on their laurels, and not develop their team work and a good enough work rate to succeed at the top. The attackers can beat the opposition teams almost single handedly, and get all the plaudits, and the defenders never really have trouble containing their opposite number, so they think they've made it already and their development stops. Like if you look at our 1992 Youth Cup winners - Chris Casper was arguably a better natural defender than Gary Neville, but didn't have the attitude needed to break into the first team and so ended up at Reading, whilst Neville ended up having a 20 year career at the top. And there are plenty of other players like John Curtis, Neil Mellor, Danny Cadamarteri and Jody Morris who were top of the pile at youth level but just didn't make it in the big league. It's very difficult (as a fan at least) to predict which players will make it and which won't.
I remember Aqua saying Rafa had told him to always look for the unexpected pass, which was going to lead to more stray ones but showed Rafa had confidence in him that he could deliver a killer pass like that. One short killer is worth several 40-yarders to the corner. Shelvey's just shown he can deliver a killer, too. He's certainly got the shape and gait of Gerrard. I reckon you could do a Brundlefly on them and they'd both be pretty comfortable in each other's bodies. True but it was threaded through a few bodies so well spotted and, more importantly, well executed. That's all he can do. Agreed on that. He's still settling. I remember thinking he looked really nervous when he first came on in a Europa game. His touch was way off. But now he looks more comfortable, confident enough even to cover at FB, and I think his development curve is going to please us all immensely.
Ayala is an excellent defender, saw a lot of him during his spell with us but dont think he will reach the Liverpool standard. Several reasons for this, the main been that he is a very laid back and relaxed defender, Kenny seems to have his full team chasing down (every Barcelona-esque), Ayala doesnt really do that. Add to the fact he has been sent out on loan twice while Flannaghan, Robinson, Wilson and Kelly have all been given a chance in first team, i think Ayala's days are numbered, hopefully to our gain
Trouble is, we're reasonably well stocked at CB. If Aurelio and Johnson had stayed fit all season, we most likely wouldn't have seen Flanagan or Robinson. Kelly would still make it in though. If Carragher or Skrtel get injured, which they rarely do, then Soto usually comes in.
Soto is likely to be deemed surplus to requirements in the near future,especially as Kenny is intent on bringing in another centre back that will cover for Agger.He's the oldest and is a bit of a liability.
