In years time, those two sets of names may well look very similar. You can only judge an academy in past tense
Very true. A few years ago people were talking about Gulacsi, Wilson, Robinson, Coady, Pacheco & Morgan being regulars but all of them have left now.
and jay spearing was supposed to take over as captain when gerrard left. tbh thats what would have happened if hodgson was our manager still
Why? This is not the same as losing Suarez, we're not losing a player in their prime. Gerrard is frankly more of a detriment to the team these days (sad to say it) than the worldclass player who dragged the team through. Gerrard's real quality isn't on the pitch anymore, its leadership off field, which will be the big loss. Sterling and Sturridge get to be Liverpool's big names now, the hero's and a chance at a bigger pay packet with the money freed up from Gerrard's salary.
Mate I couldn't give a ****e if they're from Garston or Ghana I just want successful youth team players again I just don't think this concept of "trawling the world" makes any sense when we're missing the talent that's on our own doorstep
Regarding local lads versus Johnny Foreigner: as deeply entrenched in old fart nostalgia for the good old days of footie as I am, I have to say that times have changed, and there's little point in ignoring it. There are 7 billion people in the world, and about 1.5 million in the Merseyside area, so simple arithmetic suggests that there will be a much higher number of talented players out there. I agree that clubs should look to bring on local players first, that they are perhaps more likely to have commitment and desire, but any team that wants to be a player on the big stage must look further afield than it's own back yard.
Billy it's all part of the football myopia that is so present in European and particularly in Premiership football. With youth development we ignore what we have under our noses and trawl the world only to create yet another market. Pray tell me were are the superstars that have been developed by our wondrous Premiership academies? The same type of myopia infects the style of Premiership play. We sacrifice true skill on the alter of pace. Somehow the holy grail is to be the fastest whereas other countries prove that you don't need to run about like headless chickens to provide high quality football. Add to that the almost insatiable desire for African style strong forwards who bully defenders and can kick a ball very hard - even if not accurately! There always was and always will be another way!!! There is nothing innately better in foreign youngsters. The same kids exist here so go and get them and coach them properly. It may not bear fruit for clubs like LFC but it has always helped developed high quality Scouse players in all of the professional leagues.
Anyone that knows your neck of the woods would know how cosmopolitan and multiracial you guys are. #unitednationsofkenny