The boy done good, very good. I've watched him numerous times in the reserves and u18's etc - my main concern back then was his physical strength and sometimes his lack of reading the game. Since training with the first team, his positional awareness is as good as anyone in the famous red jersey. His physical strength has clearly been worked on. He knocked Ballotelli to the floor (diving twat!) and at one point put Yaya Toure flat on his arse. He's 17 The premierships not gonna not what's ****ing hit em, when he plays more game and gets more first team experience. He's clearly a big part of BR's plans this year. I'm not one for this ease him in gently, he's been playing regular competitive football for the reserves etc for ages. I say now he's in, let him stay in the first 11 (or at least on the main fringes ahead of Downing etc). Just think of those long balls by Gerrard, Allen and Sahin, with that lil ****er running onto them leaving the defender fi dead. His crossing seems to have improved 10 fold too. Let Lil Raheem loose - the boy's gonna deliver.. A jamaican (although obviously plays for England) winger.....ye mon. John Barnes but smaller and quicker His dad must be sitting back blazing a fat one - thinking that's my boy.
not sure he's quicker the JB. anyway... we need to protect the kid, kolo toure went right through the back of him... no card to marriner the manc lover. We cannot play him every week or we'll end up crocking him. hopefully he'll play about 20 games for us and assiadi not downing will play the rest.
I can see big things coming from this kid. Coming from a game against Hearts defence to Man City's is a huge step, but made the transition seem easy. Very excited to see some big things come from him, I just hope he stays fit because with the acceleration and speed he can conjure up he's going to get a lot of fullbacks just hacking at him. Let's hope that he can cope with that. Although, I really hope that BR continues to play him... I mean after this showing surely he's warranted a place over Downing?
I'm hoping he plays (starts) about 20 games and is used as a sub as often as possible Afterall, will Assiadi be any good? - be interesting to see what he can offer to the squad. P.S. I know JB was quick - surely not as quick as Raheem though? Bolt might be (just), but Barnes, nah....
if rodgers bought the guy i hope he is good cos why buy him otherwise... i am hoping he is an unknown like hyppia who will show you don't need massive fees to find real talent... well i just hope so anyway. barnes up to say 1989 was lightening. those achilles injuriys ruined him.... who really knows but i think we was a quick... i mean is raheem as quick as owen was at the same age? probably. JB... if raheem is as good, like he could well be he's an absolutle gem... i just hope ibe and n'goo and suso are all also going to come through as reduce the spend in years to come.....
Very true - I think Suso's year will be next year, a similar scenario to Raheem this year. Not convinced about N'goo. But Suso is a definite yes from me. Plus the FB Ryan McLaughlin that's just been called up for Ireland - seems a fantastic young prospect.
He's like Robbie Fowler in that he hasn't let the step up to the first team phase him, even though he's so young. He never played under 16 football for Liverpool, he was elevated to the under 18s at 15, at 16 he was playing for the reserves. Last December he signed professional. He's a talent, but Liverpool must keep his feet on the ground. I'm convinced that he's still coached by Rodolfo Borrell, who is his mentor to ensure that happens. It was Rafa that signed him from QPR when he was 15.
The problem with 'just chucking him in' is he could become complacent, plus he will be a target for the defenders. We need to keep the lads feet on the ground. Obviously, I hope he plays a lot but because he is a much better option than anything else we have, not because he is a youngsters with potential
It was so obvious to see, just how much better than Downing he is. I wonder what Mr dilly dally was thinking sat on the bench, never to come on for a 17 year old, that is leaps and bounds better than him.
Brendan has said status counts for nothing. In other words, it doesn't mean a jot if you are an England international. Downing could eventually even find himself behind 16 year old Jordan Ibe. Ibe is an express train, and I believe he's going to be one of the next few to come off the conveyor belt.
1. yes i would hope a "senior" professional like downing would take it as quite a kicking that he played LB and is on the bench to the wet behind the years little fella.... however i think he's not that professional and won't improve 2. indeed we have a lot of youth like wisdom who really impresses me in his abiltiy on and off the ball as well as mclaughlin as mentioned. 3. In theory if we have an option to buy sahin (though it sounds like he intends fully to play for real) then we'd have a team who'd oldest two players will be gerrard and reina and the rest are 28 or under (johnson agger and skertl will be 28 by calander years end?) oldest midfield will be 25 (lucas) and oldest forward will be 25 (suarez) 4. therefore if we sold downing, cole and such retire carragehr we'll have a very young and taletned squad IMO... reina johnson skertl agger enrique sahin lucas allen gerrard borini suarez jones (not up to it) kelly Coates wisdom robinson (?? over last two due to expereince) shelvey henderson adam (seel adam please) Assaidi Carroll Sterling I cona't see too many sides being able to do that much can you? it'll be interestingt o see just who rodgers wants to buy this week cos i reckon they might just suprise.
Can you see the likes of Suso, Adam Morgan, and Jordan Ibe being the next batch to make the break-through?
Agree Sky, don't believe in the "ease him in" nonsense. What he needs is looking after off the field, that is the important thing. He is going to be in the lime light and the kid has got a tough past. His dad must be so ****ing proud!
He is a fantastic player. It does anger me the thought that he will be dropped for Downing in the next game, hopefully not. Brendan keeps saying "If you're good enough you are old enough" so lets hope he follows through (oo-er) with that.
I think the next player into the squad will be Morgan. I think he'll make a couple of sub appearances this year. Suso and Ibe and probably McLaughlin will come in next year i reckon. I'm very happy with Ibe. As i live in Wycombe (I know it's a **** hole) i've watched him in many games for Wycombe Wanderers and he has always been the best player on the pitch, that was when he was 15. I know it was only league 1 but even now in the reserves you can see he is a very exiting prospect. I dream of 3/4 years time when we have a front line of Sterling, Suarez, Ibe.
I wouldn't start him either. But Assaidi should take his place and he should be on the bench ahead of Downing.
I reckon Sterling will play either the Hearts game or the game against Arsenal. I can't see him starting both. He's however not going out on loan.
