Some of the biggest concerns about the Liverpool Academy in recent years is the seemingly lack of a long term plan, and overriding philosophy to what sort of young footballer the Kirkby complex should produce. In addition the physical separation of the Academy players at Kirkby and the first team at Melwood, it has also produced a mental gap between the youngsters and the first teamers, leaving many young starlets lacking belief that they could progress from Kirkby to Melwood.
The problems have begun to be addressed in recent years. Firstly the reorganisation of the Academy in 2009 with the arrival of Frank McParland as Academy Director, Pep Segura as technical manager and Rodolfo Borrell as Under 18s coach, helped the Academy shape a long term plan and a playing philosophy which was instilled into all youth levels. It is a coaching programme which the newly installed Director of Football Damien Comolli is already saying is “second to none” in the world:
“I have to give a lot of credit to the guys in the Academy. I think the way we play at the Academy and the style and the coaching programme that has been put together by Pep Segura and headed up by Frank McParland is second to none. Everybody who watches our youth team play, or Under-16s. Under-15s or Under-14s say that we have created an identity. Players know what to do when they have the ball. There is a playing philosophy which is attacking, which is about keeping the ball, having possession, dominating the play, dictating play from the midfield and that’s definitely recognisable. The way we play, everybody says it’s really attractive, positive football.”
Of course this is only half the battle. Instilling an attacking football philosophy at youth levels and advocating a certain style play that can be described as the “Liverpool Way” is all well and good, but equally important is the progression of these players, with this philosophy, to the first team squad at Melwood. It was problem that wasn’t totally dealt with under previous manager Rafa Benitez where many of the reserves were both too old and not good enough to be really seen as prospects who could make the breakthrough into the first team eleven.
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This week it is former LFC WAG Abigail Clancy! ————– CLICK ON THE IMAGE OR HERE TO GET TO THE GALLERY –
The only reason the academy is performing the way it is is because of Rafa so just because hes not here to see it come to fruition! But one should never underestimate the hard work he put in and the wholesale changes he made to overhaul the academy! The club are just reaping the rewards for what RAFA sowed ages ago!
These youth players need to put on muscle to make it into the first team.
referees h webb + m atkinson are destroying liverpool`s chances of making real money – they are 100% anti-liverpool!!
they cost us fortunes….
being good referees h webb + m atkinson do this by enterpreterping the rules harshly against liverpool (but still within the possibilyties – they are no novices in this…)
raheem stirling is one of the best youngsters in the history of the game. he is good enough now and will certainly be good enough next season.
he has unique skills.