Brad Smith (Liverpool -> Bournemouth)

First off an apology for Brad. 

For a 19 year old Academy protege not to have his own player thread after making his 1st team debut is a bit sad so hopefully now he's got one we can add lots of positives about him in the future.

There's talk of him playing (starting) this weekend as according to an earlier interview with him the boss wanted him to start against Oldham.  Unfortunately for Brad he picked up a knock against Chelsea so didn't get the chance.

Nice interview from him anyway.

http://www.liverpoolfc.com/news/latest-news/153588-brad-smith-from-fifa-to-first-team

There's a gaping hole on the left side of our defence and you can't help but feel there is an opportunity for a youngster to seize the initiative and work his ass off to make an impression.

He's certainly caught the eye in the past, but that debut was rather shaky. Albeit he was making it against Chelsea away, so you can't really blame him for being nervous. If anyone is writing him off for that performance then I hope he proves them wrong.

Look forward to seeing more from him in the future. Hopefully this Saturday!

If anyone is writing him off for that performance then I hope he proves them wrong.

I've every confidence he will mate, I just hope when he get's his chance it's as fb not lw.  I know it's less risky for a young lad making his way into the team but we need defenders not more attackers.

Lad who works behind the bar at our pub used to play in the same representative team as Brad, says he's an absolutely brilliant player. Mind you, he'd need to be "absolutely brilliant" compared to us mortals to have a chance of making it.

In the news today because the Aussies want him.

Postecoglou out to woo Liverpool's Smith

Liverpool's rookie left-back Brad Smith is being heavily courted by Australia coach Ange Postecoglou as he seeks a solution to the Socceroos' problem position ahead of the 2014 FIFA World Cup.

The Penrith-born 19-year-old – who has already represented England at youth level - has so far remained non-committal over his international future.

But he told The World Game late last year he was keeping his "options open" and Postecoglou - currently in Europe on a six-week scouting mission to uncover hidden gems for Brazil – has arranged meetings with his representatives and Liverpool coach Brendan Rodgers as he dangles the carrot of a possible World Cup call-up.

Smith, who recently returned from a long-term knee injury, made his debut for the Reds off the bench in the 2-1 loss at Chelsea on 29 December – having been an unused substitute the previous week against Manchester City – and he looked the goods in a 31-minute cameo.

Fast, direct and with a thunderous shot at his disposal, he is highly regarded at Anfield has been on the FFA's radar for some time.

Smith has British parents and returned to the UK with his mother six years ago, admitting: "It's hard to say whether I feel more English or Australian".

Postecoglou is hoping a charm offensive tweaks a green and gold patriotic streak in Smith – who followed Brisbane Roar in his early teens.

The left back spot remains up in the air, though the current favourite to be first choice in Brazil is Heracles' Jason Davidson, a regular for his club this season in the Eredivisie as he grows in maturity and effectiveness, and the man who got the nod against Costa Rica in Sydney last November.

But Postecoglou is not making any final decisions yet and he will cast his net far and wide during on his European voyage for a variety of positions to make up his final 23-man squad for Brazil.

Also high on his list this month will be scouting trips to watch League One Swindon Town's former Tottenham Under-21 skipper, Massimo Luongo, as the midfielder continues to impress.

Also, with centre-back spots up for grabs, as skipper Lucas Neill battles to find a new club, Preston North End’s 21-year-old destroyer Bailey Wright will also be watched.

Neither Luongo nor Wright have yet featured in a Socceroos squad, but both are keen to catch Postecoglou's eye.

However, it's believed that uncapped Millwall defender Shane Lowry and his Lions teammate, striker Scott McDonald, will not be monitored.

Celtic midfielder Jackson Irvine – who made his debut in October’s 3-0 friendly win over Canada in London – will be checked out as he extends his loan spell at Kilmarnock.

Aston Villa utility Chris Herd and Newcastle United’s Under-21 centre back Curtis Good can also expect to be watched.

Postecoglou will also jet to Germany to gauge the progress of former Gold Coast United and Brisbane Roar whiz-kid Ben Halloran (Fortuna Dusseldorf), Mustafa Amini with Borussia Dortmund's reserve squad and Kwame Yeboah at Borussia Moenchengladbach.

Comeback midfielder Adam Sarota, who has overcome a serious knee injury, will also receive a visit as he continues his resurgence in the Netherlands at Utrecht.

Postecoglous eyes the March 5 friendly in Europe – most likely against one of the Continent's lesser lights – as the perfect stage to assess whether some of his targets can perform at international level.

http://theworldgame.sbs.com.au/news/1179194/Postecoglou-out-to-woo-Liverpool-s-Smith

Brad Smith came on for England U20s vs Brazil on the 59th in the Toulon tournament. Nothing eye catching, a bit of hustling in defense and ineffective in attack (didn't really have time to settle in). No major mistakes from him too.

England were 2-0 down when he came on and they lost 2-1 in the end.

http://hereisthecity.com/en-gb/2014/08/07/promising-liverpool-youngster-heads-to-swindon-on-loan/

Off to Swindon on loan.

Good luck, Brad. Born in my home town so I hope he becomes a sensation.

Good move for him, hope he pushes for his place in coming seasons.

Played 90mins as a Wing back today and Swindon won 3-1.

Smith was back to us for treatment on a knee injury.

http://app.aloadofw**k.com/?referrer=http://www.aloadofw**k.com/articles/swindon-loanee-smith-returns-injured-liverpool-4035655#article/aloadofw**k-4035655

Signed a new contract today.  Great news really considering how short of fbs we are, we should never have been in a situation where he refused to sign an extension and eventually became a free agent.

brad smith ‏@bradsmith_94  12m12 minutes ago
Happy to have signed a new contract at liverpool @LFC 🔴

That cross for the header, and showed some pace on a few other occasions ! Had a good cameo, keep working lad !

Peach of a cross from the lad! A bonus we have done depth in a full back position. Could save us a transfer fee for a back up.

I liked the look of this lad when he came on as sub,he looked very confident and that cross to Origi was inch(mm) perfect. I hope to see him play more matches over the coming months.

Would like to see him get a start v Sion, seems to have a real turn of pace which always a great asset.........oh and he can cross the ball   

Cant remember the last time I seen such a good cross from a Liverpool player. Super ball

Cant remember the last time I seen such a good cross from a Liverpool player. Super ball

that kid has a very sweet left foot I could have nodded that it in the cross was perfect and fair play to Origi he did acknowledge that.

What a cross, pinpoint.

Love Moreno but wish he could cross like that.

Good read this and nice to see us standing our ground over contracts.

Liverpool FC: How Brad Smith settled his contract dispute to become part of Klopp revolution

    09:27, 3 Dec 2015
    Updated 10:57, 3 Dec 2015
    By James Pearce

The Australian's appearance was an interesting footnote on the night Liverpool hit Saints for six.  It was a footnote on a night when Liverpool reached new heights under Jürgen Klopp.

But Brad Smith's brief cameo at St Mary's marked a remarkable change in fortunes for the Academy graduate.

The Australia international full-back, who replaced Alberto Moreno for the closing 13 minutes at St Mary's, showcased his talents when he helped deliver the final blow in the Reds' 6-1 rout.

Bursting down the left flank, Smith's inviting cross was gleefully headed home by hat-trick hero Divock Origi.

Just three weeks ago the 21-year-old defender didn't even register on Klopp's radar. The New South Wales-born youngster was still in limbo.

Smith's contract at Liverpool had expired back in June.

The Reds' offer of a new deal had been rejected on the basis that his representatives believed he would get more playing time and more cash elsewhere.

However, Smith was never released by Liverpool. The club stood their ground over the past six months and continued to hold his registration.

With Smith under the age of 24, the Reds would have been due a compensation fee if he had signed for another club.

Smith's camp wanted Liverpool to put a price on Smith, but they were merely informed that any suitors would have to take their chances at a tribunal.

It's a new toughline policy from the club designed to ensure that they don't get short-changed if the talent they have nurtured decide to walk away.

It could come into effect again in the near future with both Jordan Rossiter and Jerome Sinclair out of contract come the end of the campaign.

No longer will Liverpool be a soft touch.

The fear of what fee a tribunal would come up with for a young full international full-back meant that nobody was willing to take a gamble on Smith. He had a trial at Barnsley in September which came to nothing.

It would be wrong to say that Smith ceased to become a Liverpool player because over the past six months he continued to be paid by the club on the wages of his previous contract.

But the only football he had played was for Australia Under-23s.

Finally, last month Smith's camp went back to Liverpool and informed them there had been a change of heart.

He wanted to stay put and was willing to accept the deal that had been on the table.

In mid-November he penned a new long-term contract and from that day onwards he has been training with the first team at Melwood.

Smith quickly impressed Klopp with his attitude and application in training with the manager delighted to have greater cover at full-back.

With Joe Gomez out for the season, Jon Flanagan not yet ready to make his comeback and Jose Enrique failing to impress the new boss, the opportunity was there for Smith to challenge Moreno for the left-back spot.

After watching his 45-minute outing for Liverpool Under-21s against Manchester United on Monday night, Klopp opted to name him in the squad to face Southampton.

His outing at St Mary's was only his second senior appearance for the Reds. Brendan Rodgers had handed him his debut as a second-half substitute in defeat away to Chelsea in December 2013.

There was a spell on loan at Swindon last term before the dispute over his contract reared its ugly head.

Quick and powerful, Academy staff always had high hopes for Smith, who has been on the books since he was 14.

A Liverpool career which looked to be over is now very much back on track.

sh*te match tonight but Smith looked pretty decent tonight from what I seen tonight.

What's this lads potential? He looked like the best player on the pitch at times

Good read this and nice to see us standing our ground over contracts.

Liverpool FC: How Brad Smith settled his contract dispute to become part of Klopp revolution

    09:27, 3 Dec 2015
    Updated 10:57, 3 Dec 2015
    By James Pearce

The Australian's appearance was an interesting footnote on the night Liverpool hit Saints for six.  It was a footnote on a night when Liverpool reached new heights under Jürgen Klopp.

But Brad Smith's brief cameo at St Mary's marked a remarkable change in fortunes for the Academy graduate.

The Australia international full-back, who replaced Alberto Moreno for the closing 13 minutes at St Mary's, showcased his talents when he helped deliver the final blow in the Reds' 6-1 rout.

Bursting down the left flank, Smith's inviting cross was gleefully headed home by hat-trick hero Divock Origi.

Just three weeks ago the 21-year-old defender didn't even register on Klopp's radar. The New South Wales-born youngster was still in limbo.

Smith's contract at Liverpool had expired back in June.

The Reds' offer of a new deal had been rejected on the basis that his representatives believed he would get more playing time and more cash elsewhere.

However, Smith was never released by Liverpool. The club stood their ground over the past six months and continued to hold his registration.

With Smith under the age of 24, the Reds would have been due a compensation fee if he had signed for another club.

Smith's camp wanted Liverpool to put a price on Smith, but they were merely informed that any suitors would have to take their chances at a tribunal.

It's a new toughline policy from the club designed to ensure that they don't get short-changed if the talent they have nurtured decide to walk away.

It could come into effect again in the near future with both Jordan Rossiter and Jerome Sinclair out of contract come the end of the campaign.

No longer will Liverpool be a soft touch.

The fear of what fee a tribunal would come up with for a young full international full-back meant that nobody was willing to take a gamble on Smith. He had a trial at Barnsley in September which came to nothing.

It would be wrong to say that Smith ceased to become a Liverpool player because over the past six months he continued to be paid by the club on the wages of his previous contract.

But the only football he had played was for Australia Under-23s.

Finally, last month Smith's camp went back to Liverpool and informed them there had been a change of heart.

He wanted to stay put and was willing to accept the deal that had been on the table.

In mid-November he penned a new long-term contract and from that day onwards he has been training with the first team at Melwood.

Smith quickly impressed Klopp with his attitude and application in training with the manager delighted to have greater cover at full-back.

With Joe Gomez out for the season, Jon Flanagan not yet ready to make his comeback and Jose Enrique failing to impress the new boss, the opportunity was there for Smith to challenge Moreno for the left-back spot.

After watching his 45-minute outing for Liverpool Under-21s against Manchester United on Monday night, Klopp opted to name him in the squad to face Southampton.

His outing at St Mary's was only his second senior appearance for the Reds. Brendan Rodgers had handed him his debut as a second-half substitute in defeat away to Chelsea in December 2013.

There was a spell on loan at Swindon last term before the dispute over his contract reared its ugly head.

Quick and powerful, Academy staff always had high hopes for Smith, who has been on the books since he was 14.

A Liverpool career which looked to be over is now very much back on track.

A good read but disturbing how one so young, and not even getting regular first team football, can have reps telling him to hold the club to ransom before his career has even kicked off.

Played really well last night, was very impressed with some of the crosses he managed to put in, certainly puts my concerns about our lack of cover at LB a little lower on the priority list.

Well in Brad.