Guardiola is quoted as telling Catalan radio "la academia del Liverpool es la unica que puede competirle a "La Masia" del Barcelona FC." "The academy of the Liverpool is the only one that can compare to La Masia of Barcelona FC." Also goes on to say âIf they can manage those lads, then maybe 20 star players can arrive from that academy. Very high praise indeed from the Barcelona Manager, there is the obvious loyalty to Borrel and Segura, but I think it bodes very well for our future. Don't forget he decided to mention us and not Ajax or other famous Academies.
Bodes well for the future but its when they pull on the first team shirt and play well, challenging for honours is when they can be judged. Definitely the most exciting youth/reserve set up ive seen in my lifetime... and im coming 30 lol.
Doyler. Regarding your signature,you forgot to mention who actually said that.My bet its Steven Gerrard. Back to your point. It does bode well for the future some of our academy youngsters could yet save the club a fortune.Raheem Sterling(Who in my opinion is frightening) is definitely heading for the top.As is Conor Coady.
My only problem is the hype that surrounds english youngsters these days, if Liverpool managed to train them under the radar for a little while longer, then only give them a shot when they are 100% ready, not too early (Robinson, Flanagan), then they wouldn't feel the pressure as much. This will also improve their attitudes towards the club as they will have hopefully learnt alot from the academy (Also, increased loyalty). When players are near 'Ready' they can be loaned out to some lower profile clubs to gain experience and develop further before they finally return and burst onto the scene. At the moment I feel a few youth players have been introduced too early. (Kelly seems the right age though)
Kenny has a different approach. ''If they are good enough...They are old enough''. However Kenny does look into different things like physical and mental strength.Thats the reason why Andre Wisdom or Conor Coady as of yet haven't been introduced,both are physically strong enough,but maybe and just maybe aren't mentally strong enough.Which seems that Jack Robinson and John Flanagan are.However that will come,as both are tipped to make it as is Raheem Sterling who seems to already have the confidence to make it.Nothing it seems phases him which is a good sign.Maybe he needs the challenge of the reserves for a short spell,if he takes that by storm in a short period of time,then gradually introduce him into the senior fold.However I can't see that happening until after he turns 17.
But look at how they adapted.Both were mentally and physically strong enough to cope. They all knew that John Flanagan was strong enough and confident enough.Jack Robinson got a taste for it the year before when he became Liverpools youngest ever player aged 16.I also reckon that Jamie Carragher had input into whether John Flanagan should or should not be thrown in as Carra knows him as well as anyone,as Carra and John Flanagans dad are business partners. There is another connection,John Flanagans uncle plays for QPR.I can't remember his name,but he's a Liverpool fan from Liverpool,He was on LFCTV.
No argument. I'm just saying they might not have had their chance if it hadn't been for injuries. Maybe they would've but with the chase for 5th and Europe (whether it was officially wanted or not) would Kenny have risked youngsters if he hadn't had to?
Injuries are part and parcel of football.They are as certain to happen as Howard Webb to give a dubious penalty at Old Trafford. These are things that have to be planned for and if Kenny didn't think John Flanagan or Jack Robinson were ready to play in the team..he would have picked neither,and his judgement and belief was rewarded with how both conducted themselves.
It's great to see the younger players that are coming through the academy. Kenny isn't afraid to put them in the team if he feels they are good enough. They will be players who don't make it (It's the same with every club) but I feel that they will get chances in the team as well. The future seems very bright indeed.
Flanagan is almost the finished product not quite and he can only get there by playing and I am sure Kenny knows this, he has reached the stage where he can only progress playing matches. He has the tools but as we have seen at the end of the season was given a torrid time against Villa due to inexperience, I doubt he will make the same mistakes he made in that game, he got done a few times. His future is a bright one as long as he keeps his feet on the ground. Even someone as talented as Anelka can ruin their career by letting your head get massive.
