A Liverpool FC Olympic XI!

WITH Euro 2012 over, in most years that would be your lot for international football until the next round of meaningless friendlies.

Except 2012 is different – in case you’ve been living on the moon for the last six months and you haven’t seen any footage of that torch being carried (mostly in the rain) through a town near you, it’s Olympic year, and that means more football. And because we’re hosting it, we’re actually entering a GB team – Team GB! Imaginative eh!

The Olympic football tournament does have some appeal too, given that there are age restrictions on the team, it has the advantage of giving us the opportunity to look at some players we wouldn’t always see in these games. The rules state:

All players participating in the preliminary and final competitions of the Tournament shall be born on or after 1 January 1989. However, a maximum of three male players who do not meet this age limit may also be included in the official list of players for the final competition.

So, all under 23s, but you can have three over-age players. How would this look at club level? None of your Manchester City mega money to buy an Adebayor or a Tevez, you have to look at how good your young players really are, and what your team would look like if you have to pick one under those rules. Now, because this is a Liverpool site and not a GB Olympic one, I’ve decided to put together what a Liverpool team might look like under those rules. And here it is, in a 4-3-3 formation (just for Brendan!):

1. Jose Reina (GK) (Over-age player number 1)

My first over-age player is Pepe, simply because he’s one of the best in the world in his position and you’ve got to have a solid foundation between the sticks that gives you confidence and can also start attacks quickly. I also think he’d be a great influence on the younger players.

2. Martin Kelly (RB) (27th April 1990)

No-one should have been surprised that Martin Kelly is so high up in the England reckoning – remember his full debut in the Champions League against Lyon at Anfield? Very strong physically, great in the air and good delivery getting forward from the flank, an ideal choice at right back.

3. Danny Wilson (LB) (27th December 1991)

Arrived at Liverpool from Rangers with a big reputation as a hot prospect. Hasn’t had luck with injuries at the wrong times, but had a decent run around the first team environment at the end of Kenny’s first season back, and showed flashes of potential. Naturally left sided, could do the job at left back.

4. Martin Skrtel (CB) (Over-age player number 2)

Generally it’s best to have your over-age players in key positions at the heart of the team, and it’s hard to think of anyone better than last season’s Player of the Year; a warrior at centre half.

5. Sebastian Coates (CB) (7th October 1990)

Another young player who arrived with a big reputation – in his case from the Copa America last year. He has looked promising in flashes in the first team, including a memorable goal against QPR in February. Should be the other centre half in this team alongside Skrtel.

6. Lucas (CM) (Over-age player number 3)

My last over-age player, and again in a key position in central midfield. A massive miss last season, for his work rate, tackling and tenacity, but also for his positional awareness – it’ll be like having a new signing in August when he takes his place back in the middle of the park.
[ad_pod id=”unruly-video” align=”center”]
7. Jonjo Shelvey (CM) (27th February 1992)

A real bright spot at times last season, and loads of potential to go far in the game. Has pace, technically sound, gets in good areas and scored a couple of good goals for the first team last year too. The key for him this year will be getting enough time on the pitch to kick on.

8. Jordan Henderson (CM) (17th June 1990)

Has his critics, but people forget that Henderson has only just turned 22. People that work with him in training consistently tell you he is technically superb, and he had some really good games for us last year. Suffers when his confidence is low and his head drops, but you can work with young players to conquer that.

9. Raheem Sterling (RW) (8th December 1994)

Still not even 18, but a big reputation inside Anfield as a star of the future. He has huge pace, has looked lethal at times in the reserve and youth teams and, like Shelvey and others, the only real barrier to his development is going to be whether he gets enough game time to take his game to the next level.

10. Andy Carroll (ST) (6th January 1989)

Squeezes under the age bracket by 5 days and therefore eligible, people probably forget that Carroll is still only 23. Finished the season superbly when he was playing with confidence and aggression, whilst scoring some vital goals. Will only improve next season if he can keep up the momentum.

11. Suso (LW) (19th November 1993)

Another young player with heaps of potential, this one might be a gamble given his lack of first team exposure but in this team and in this system he might just come off. Has great game intelligence and is developing all the time, he just needs more time around better players to bring his game on the extra step.

And so that’s my team. It’s positive for Liverpool when you look at how many of these under-23s are already in and around the first team picture. As with any of these things, no two teams would be the same, so I’m expecting plenty of people to disagree, but hey – it’s a game of opinions and a bit of fun, right? Why not tell me yours below…

Find me on twitter @rossco1981
[ad_pod id=’DFP-MPU’ align=’right’]
Live4Liverpool is recruiting columnists. For further info contact the site editor at live4liverpool@snack-media.com

Follow us on Twitter here: @live4Liverpool and ‘Like’ us on Facebook