If you look at the pictures from today's website of our team training : http://www.liverpoolfc.com/news/latest-news/154775-photos-high-spirits-as-reds-prepare you will notice that there are some youngsters involved in the build up to the match. You look back at past training photos and you see a few of the same faces in there. We have talked at length about who we think will break through next ( Mclaughlin being one, Teixiera? Nacho? Rossiter? ) but what confidence does this give the youngsters? Is this a plan by Rodgers to keep the academy producing for the club? Wasn't this done by the old greats at LFC?
Which leads me to when we bought Tex he was the next "deco" in portugal, yada yada yada. Is he not in the same position as Alberto but way cheaper? There was a big hope of Tex to come through and be a big part of the club, then he had the back issues. Nacho went to atletico madrid? can we ask for Mario Suarez, Miranda, or Arda in return?
I remember when people were saying Craig Lindfield was the next great Liverpool striker that was going to smash Michael Owen's goal counts and make Fowler look like an amateur. Lindfield plays for Chester now. Often the most lauded youth get nowhere.
Rodgers is apparently really impressed by Texeira and feels Suso will be an important part of the first team squad next season.
It's mainly the players attitude. There are so many players who are physically good enough but lack the drive, determination, devotion, discipline to make it. People forget that to make it in football is a combination of skill, mentality, maintaining fitness, and most of all timing. Sometimes you need to move on and don't so stagnant, while sometimes you move to early (Bostock).
Lauri Dalle valle, Jon Ostembor, Damien Plessis who put in a MOTM performance on his debut against Arsenal then went totally missing!!!!
Stephen Darby was a future star to. In reply to the Alberto and Texiera comment. I havnt seen much of Texeira but am led to believe he is a CM and is a creative passing playing. Takes up deep positions, keeps the ball moving and picks out passes. Luis Alberto is a false 9 or attacking midfielder. He played LF at Barca B. He likes to run with the ball and has neat feet.
Luis Alberto has been compared in style of play to a young Xabi Alonso; Teixeira has been compared to a young Deco. If they get anywhere near to the abilities of their compatriots ...
