One of the trademarks of Kenny Dalglish’s reign as current Liverpool manager has been his faith in blooding academy stars into the first team. The likes of Jay Spearing, Martin Kelly, John Flanagan and Jack Robinson have all made breakthroughs in the last year and look to be exciting Premier League prospects. But whilst these young stars will look to continue to progress next season, Dalglish will have to find that balance between building youth and pushing for the top four.
Last season’s 6th place finish was a success for Liverpool and Dalglish after their disastrous first half to the season under former boss Roy Hodgson. But, with big money being spent on transfers in both January and so far this summer, and so much hype surrounding their academy stars, at least finishing in the top four must be the aim for Liverpool next season.
With the double January capture of Andy Carroll and Luis Suarez and the arrivals of Jordan Henderson and Charlie Adam this summer, Dalglish looks to have the ammunition to push forward and really challenge for honours next season. But where does this leave the youngsters? Will they get pushed aside in the hint for silverware?
The answer for some of the youngsters may come over the next few weeks with how Dalglish adds to the squad. Many made their marks last season when capitalizing on injuries to key players, so if injuries are not such an issue next season and Dalglish looks to add more depth to the squad to cover any injury problems, then the youngsters chances may be more limited next season. I also wouldn’t be surprised to see Dalglish continue to deal in the transfer market this summer, with Stewart Downing just one name on the Reds’ radar.
At present Glen Johnson and Fabio Aurelio are the only two senior (and trusted) full backs in the squad. When both Aurelio and Johnson got injured during periods of last season, Dalglish called upon Kelly, Flanagan and Robinson with great success. If the manager doesn’t add competition for places at the back, these players could be in the first team picture for next season.
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good article from you guy i hope he need to think twice before any tranfer on this summer and within the back line four.
it was written by a lass, not a lad…
Yes, young prayers are good, but we need our EPL honour back next season amen.
Spearing was blooded by Rafa, Kelly by Hodgson
Xile, Robinson was blooded by Rafa on that basis also… his last ever game as manager v Hull!
I think what Jenny is trying to say is that we have lots of great youngsters coming through, and there is a balancing act to be achieved; bring in sufficient quality to enhance the first 11, whilst making sure that the route for our youngsters to the first team, is not completely blocked.
See the thing is, I’d rather have youngsters like Pacheco replacing Cole, because in the few games that the “killer” played he’s done more, except scoring (but he’s played random games where Cole has had more opps). Then you have the Flanno and Robbo, but to be honest, I think they’re too young to start unless there are injuries or a couple of years older! Martin Kelly is a must! and should be at RB or CB! Everyone wants a winger, but I’m sure Adam could do a better job than most out there and stick Johnson on the right based on the formation! Our problem is the need to get rid of Agger! (fan fav, don’t worry mates, I’ve got his shirt at the bottom of the others, because I rarely see him play!=injury prone). Remove Agger and loan out Wilson and start to play Kelly with Carra/Skrtel (who should also eventually go) with Soto/Wisdom (blood the youth!) as back ups. ‘Pool’s most intriguing players in the youth system are Sterling and Silva! Wingers with a force to get the ball in the box and score! Then you have Suso behind strikers (still too young), Bruna (not given a chance), Coady (we’ll a great back line with Wilson and Wisdom in the future, may be even as a DM), Ngoo, Morgan (potentially the next big thing. I think we avoided Wickham because of having Morgan!) and a potential replacement for Reina in about 5 years (Belford)…Our future is bright, but we must do it right by loaning out our players instead of having a whole season in the reserves! put them in real situations to assess their true ability. Just look at what Pacheco did last term! Sell the deadwood players and promote 3-4 youngsters on the bench…