The academy is in place (thanks to Rafa) - you only have to look at players like Wisdom, Sterling and Ibe to see how they are progressing. Sterling and Ibe in particular are not just fast archetypal wingers - they have much more to their game and can defend as well. This is what Rafa put in place - players who are tactically aware and hard working. Not sure if it's true but I heard that Heighway was back at the club?
Rafa made those changes five or six years ago now so we should be starting to see the benefits by now. Sterling wasn't a product of the youth system that Rafa put in place either. Ibe was bought too. Sure, they were both involved and trained by the youth academy but I wouldn't say they are products of that system. Wisdom and Flanno are a bit too old IMO. We should be looking at the players that are 18 and under for the benefits really.
Ibe and Sterling were always going to make it, you brought them in as teenage sensations, you've not schooled them from U8's up ffs. You can't get into a PL side (and stay there) without having a work ethic these days, to credit the fact that these lads have grasped that reality to Benitez, is delusional
Academies are just like schools. Just because they did not start off from ages nine does not make them any less academy players. They still came and rose through the ranks so this notion that a player has to be there since inception is moot. We have bought many other lads from other academies who have failed to make the grade yet were teenage sensations. So to suggest that it was a gimme Sterling & Ibe would make it is a bit silly.
True. In fact the famous group of PL youth players came through the ranks at Man Utd after they went out and "persuaded" the best youngsters around to join them
Strictly speaking, a kid develops most at the age of 11, particullary in cognitive functions. So Tobes is correct in this instance, however I disagree that they were always going to make it, I think the set-up we have here did greatly allow them to kick-on, and provide a good environment and platform for them to reach their potential. Important to note that they've both been well managed too, from being sent out on loan, and judging when to be taken out of the team.
Ibe had made his league debut at 15 ffs. Top quality lads are always going to make it, to credit a manager who ****ed off 2 years before he arrived at LFC is hilarious in it's idiocy
Sterling and Ibe are products of the academy - just because we signed them for money, doesn't mean that we didn't have to train them and develop them. Academies are far more than just finding local talent. And I reject any notion that some players were 'always going to make it'. It's lazy and dismissive of what a great academy Melwood is becoming. I think the likes of Flanno and Kelly were a bit before the 'new' system and it shows because neither have good ability. You could argue that Kelly could have had a successful career but injuries have ruined him. Wisdom is a mix - I think he is a part of the new system but could be mistaken. He is comfortable on the ball and has played in a couple of positions. Again, Pacheco and Suso came in when the academy was being formed - if they had joined now, could their careers headed in a different direction? ...
I assume you mean crediting Benitez? I certainly am crediting for a lot of the positive work done at Melwood - he transformed the academy in terms of the way players are bought and the scouting network. Just because he didn't personally pick/sign a player doesnt mean he had no impact. Rafa left a legacy which has now seen the likes of Sterling, Ibe and Wisdom benefit from proper coaching.
The people he brought in are long gone. Most of the young players he bought, he put into his squad rather than the existing academy, and how many of them have made it??? You're giving him massive credit for something that he hasn't delivered. If you had a succession of quality young genuine home grown players coming through a la Southampton, you would maybe have a point, but you simply haven't.
It's much harder to break into the Liverpool team than the Southampton team Now that Southampton are doing well how many players are coming through vs being bought?
Their strategy remains the same and there's another batch of young lads on their way through, Targett and Reed being the latest 2. The lads need to be good enough to play in the PL and then be trusted enough to play.
I think you, along with other posters, need to read a little more carefully before posting. I am not suggesting that the board will sack him wherever he finishes. I'm simply saying that the board are not happy with various aspects of Rodgers' tenure here and, in my opinion, he is getting close to a point where they'll decide whether to stick with him long term or not come the end of the season. The end of the season part is somewhat of a giveaway, because that then assumes they'll take into consideration what position he finishes...seems pretty straight forward. Rodgers getting sacked isn't what I want, nor have I ever said it is the plan, but it is a possibility given some of the cards marked against him right now. Obviously there's still a good third of the season to go to change a few of them. Really wish people would read slowly and not skip words out to get an overview. I pick my words carefully and deliberately. The board are not lining up Rodgers in their sights purely on what's come through the academy, but moreso on what Rodgers has promised them. He did promise to bring through youth. He has retained Sterling in the first team, sold some kids he didn't think would make it and recently re-brought Ibe back into the fold - but he has definitely come on leaps and bounds since his last stint. Rodgers shouldn't go making promises and bold claims/comments he can't achieve at the very least. That, again, is something the board are unhappy with since he makes ludicrous comments in the media too without much thought...
I am not, but I do speak to someone who does know what is said at board level on occasion. They're rarely wrong. If the board wanted youngsters coming through, they can't just give him no money and watch whilst we spend 3 years waiting for them. You have to improve the first team first and give the kids time/space to come through. Of course they're going to give him money. Again though, if Rodgers promises (and I use that word as a matter of fact) them that he will bring through the youth and, as of yet, has only Ibe to his name on that list as the others were already first team established prior to Rodgers, then he's not meeting what he promised. Our board are not as football savvy as most UK residents. They'll take him on his word. Hence, they're now not happy that no one's come through bar the one bloke he was forced to bring back because he had no money to spend.
Anything of what nature? That there are things he's done/doing which they're not happy about? I'm sure that's exactly the kind of thing that Rodgers would go blabbing to a bloody reporter about. Knowing Rodgers "very well" or not, he's not going to be told everything. No offense, but your mate doesn't exactly have a glowing track record either... Never mind that I never said it was THE plan or that he was definitely going to be sacked. I said he's touch and go, they're not happy and will be watching him closely - reassessing in the summer.
I read...very carefully...what you said.........slowly too. Maybe when 5 or 6 different posters aren't "understanding your point" it's because you aren't making much sense or explaining things very well....not just because we're all a bit dense or incapable of reading your posts. I'm sure there are areas of Rodgers tenure that the board have doubts about, show me a manager who doesn't have those pressures eh. However, is youth progression really a bigger issue to them than our league position? His transfer record this summer? An early Champions League exit? If that IS true then the board need to pull their heads out of their arses. You were suggesting the boards biggest issue with him is that he hasn't brought through enough talent and that this might be enough for them to consider his position. When you say they'll wait until the end of the season well that suggests to me if they are to sack him it'll have **** all to do with youth progression and everything to do with whether or not we get a top 4 spot (or cup win). Why wait until the end of the season? Are they expecting him to magic 3 or 4 youth team players through at this crucial point of the season? As you have connections with people on "the board" maybe you can get a message to them from me Tell them to back their man as he is THEIR man after all. Oh and tell them that there are plenty of issues they could have dealt with a whole lot better themselves over the last few seasons Thanks in advance.
Reading the Tom Werner interview Brendan's job is as safe as houses, well more safe than those that used to surround Anfield. http://www.liverpoolfc.com/news/latest-news/180034-werner-positive-direction-at-anfield He deffo needs to kick on considering the money he's spent and the quality we havs at youth level, but he's a stubborn **** and needs a proven defensive coach and a keeper with more experience than we have now. The yanks are not the type to keep throwing money at it so Brendan has his future at LFC in his own hands, for now.
