Over the last year or so, the reserves has certainly become more of a conduit for young stars such as Suso, Andre Wisdom and others to make their impact on the first team coaching staff at Melwood. Under the guidance of Kenny Dalglish, the process has been acclerated further with youth players being brought to train and travel with the first team as much as possible, so they can both learn from senior players and be encouraged to make further strides forward in their game. With King Kenny being very much clued in with youth team prospects after fulfilling the role of Academy Ambassador, he has been a great advocator of greater first team – youth team integration. Liverpool First Team Coach Steve Clarke states:
“I think it is always good when you get the opportunity to allow the young players to come up and get a look at them [senior player]. We’ve watched them in the U18 and reserve games as much as we can and you’ve seen this year there is progress to be made for the young players. Martin Kelly is a great example. He’s come in and done really well for us. We’ve given a chance to some of the other young players too – John Flanagan has been involved with the first team for the last two weeks. We’ve shown there is a path from the youth team to the reserve team to the first team and that is important.”
Although the avenue from Kirkby to Melwood has certainly been opened up, by Dalglish especially, the physical barrier between the two training grounds is still a cause of concern. Both Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher have expressed such concerns in the past, and it has been rumoured in recent weeks that the senior team maybe relocating to Kirkby for training. Although only speculation currently, the removal of John McMahon as reserve team manager, and a statement from the club that there will be further restructuring of the youth setup in the summer, tends to suggest that there will be some movement on this issue.
The backing of a coherent footballing philosophy for all levels of the youth team, combined with greater prospects of first team-youth team integration means that the Reds are certainly going in the right direction, and over the next few years, the conditions should be ideal for starlets to progress to first team action.
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INTRODUCING PORTAL 2!
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.