14th Mar 2012 - Latest News
Rodolfo Borrell is predicting an open attacking tie when Liverpool U19s take on Ajax in the NextGen Series semi-final at St Helens Langtree Park on Wednesday night (7pm).
The Dutch outfit, who have a great reputation for producing talented players, beat Barcelona 3-0 in Spain to reach the last four and the Spanish coach knows how tough a test his side face.
"I know a lot about Ajax as they have a magnificent academy which they've had for many years and they play and train the same way with the same idea," Borrell told Liverpoolfc.tv.
"They have players who are technically very good with quick speed of thought and it's going to be a really good experience to play against them.
"I don't like to compare one football school with another. Ours is totally different, two totally different styles and we will try to play as a team and try to win the game.
"They are an offensive side and they are also physical and powerful. Individual qualities are very important but the team is too.
"We are looking forward to playing at a new stadium in St Helens and we will try to do our best and play at a good level and try to entertain the supporters.
"It will be an offensive game I feel, and we need to be at the top of our game."
The road to the NextGen quarter-final
Borrell has a lot of respect for Ajax and the style of football they play.
Indeed one of his favourite all-time players is Ajax legend Marco van Basten.
"Ajax have produced some extraordinary players. They won the Champions League with a lot of players who had come through their youth system like Kluivert, the De Boer brothers and Edgar Davids.
"Van Basten was one of my favourite players. He was elegant, a great striker and a very impressive player."
While reaching the final of the NextGen Series would be a proud moment for Borrell and his squad, the former Barcelona coach has a bigger picture as his main aim which is to produce players ready to challenge for a place in Kenny Dalglish's first-team squad.
He added: "Our main aim is to produce players for our first team. We want to make them grow, as individuals and as a team.
"We want to improve their understanding of the game. Firstly they have to impress in the reserve team and secondly they must be ready when they are called upon to train with the first team, and thirdly they have to handle the pressure that surrounds playing in the first team.
"I have also never hid the fact that winning is very important especially at Liverpool Football Club. This was my philosophy when I was at Barcelona.
"The lads must try to win every game we play, but obviously the success will be if we produce players for our first team."
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