Liverpool FC Academy Youth Team Thread

This thread is for general discussion on Liverpool's Youth Academy, players, fixtures and other news

whats going on with the youth system at the moment, we keep hearing of great players coming through for the past 5 years but really what have we seen! i know we won youth cup last year but even watching some of them perform its hard to see them breaking through, it's disapointing! when are the next batch of home grown players gonna arrive soon i hope

if you have been following pre-season you would of seen some of the kids from the f.a youth cup playing paul anderson has been doing well, jack hobbs had a bit of a bad game on saturday but well in the other 2 games and craig lindfield  well rafa doesnt want to talk him up 2 much just yet but is a very good player then you have the likes of david roberts,ryan flynn,robbie threlfall and stephen darby who have all made the step up to melwood this season and expect to see most of them in the carling cup. So not to worry the youth coming through its just gonna take a bit more time rafa is building for now and the future unlike the frenchman previously.

i know what ya saying but do you honastly belive that these players are anywhere near the quality of the the youngsters of fowler, gerrard, carragher, owen. suppose only time will tell and im sure rafa will give them a chance if there good enough

In realilty not all of them youngsters are going to be regulars in the 1st team but at least 2 of them will be in anderson and lindfield and the rest may get sold on which usually happens anyway if you look at all the players that came though with owen and gerrard most or all  have been released so 2/3 players is all that make it anyway although in previous years i would of liked to see the likes of david thompson and stephen wright stay as i thought they were good players.

Liverpool will play Reading in the fifth round of the FA Youth Cup sponsored by E.ON after the young Royals thrashed Coventry 5-1 in their fourth round tie last night. 
The game will take place at Anfield on Friday, 26th January 2007, Kick-Off 7.00 pm.
 
The tie must be concluded on the night with extra time of two fifteen minute periods being played if the scores are level at the end of normal time. Furthermore in the event that the scores are still level at the conclusion of extra time then the tie shall be settled by the taking of kicks from the penalty mark in accordance with the procedure adopted by The International Football Association Board.
 
Entry to the stadium for spectators on the night will be through the Kop Stand turnstiles, with the following admission prices being charged:-
 
Adults - £4.00
Concessions (Juveniles Aged 16 or Under and Senior Citizens) - £2.00
 
Cup holders Liverpool have so far beaten West Brom and Chelsea in this season's tournament. 


With it being FA Cup next weekend (and you no who are out), I wouldn't be suprised if quite a few first teamers will be present. Especially the likes of Gerrard, Carra and Fowler.
Good luck to the Junior Reds. 

I would be very surprised if Gerrard, Carra and Fowler are involved.  This isn't the reserves is it?

Is there not rules regarding age of players and things for the FA Youth Cup?

Either way.  Sounds like a good do - will probably go for a few pints after work and then go.  If you see an exceptionally good looking b***ard there in his work smarts then feel free to say hello to me

Okay... so you don't need a ticket.

Gerrard and co cannot play this game surely. And if they could, they got better things to be doing than playing for junior team. No chance of that Tommo.

I would be very surprised if Gerrard, Carra and Fowler are involved.  This isn't the reserves is it?

Is there not rules regarding age of players and things for the FA Youth Cup?

Either way.  Sounds like a good do - will probably go for a few pints after work and then go.  If you see an exceptionally good looking b***ard there in his work smarts then feel free to say hello to me

sorry it's meant to read present in the crowd

I went to the Semi Finals and the Final last year and it was a great day/night out, had the pleasure of shaking Mr Benitez's hand when I went to the semi leg at Anfield so well worth the trip to support the kids, cracking games of footy as well     

Also about 7/8 of the first team were there as well Stevie, Carra etc.

i can see these lads going all the way again, especially after hammering the chavs in the last round! good luck younguns!

hi, my lads and i are going to the match on friday, can someone tell do we need tickets or do we pay on the door, thanks

Pay at the gate mate. Only the Kop open. £4 for adults, £2 for children

 Liverpool under-18s took another step towards retaining the Youth Cup with a 1-0 victory over Reading at Anfield on Friday night. 
A wonder-strike from Jimmy Ryan earned the young Reds a quarter-final tie at either Sheffield United or Middlesbrough.
 
The encounter got off to a cagey start, the hosts perhaps affronted at being made to attack the Kop end in the opening half.
 
The first chance fell to the visitors on the quarter-hour mark when a well-flighted free-kick into the danger area was headed goalwards, Jay Spearing clearing off the line to keep the scoresheet blank.
 
From there the holders were made to defend a barrage of lofted balls into the box, but despite having a distinct height advantage, Reading failed to catch out Martin Hansen, the 16-year-old Dane looking assured and confident between the sticks.
 
The Royals did come close on 20 minutes though, with full-back Julian Kelly unlucky to see a 20-yard effort curl harmlessly into an empty Anfield Road stand.
 
Steve Heighway's side had to wait more than 20 minutes to carve out their first opportunity.
 
Ryan spotted keeper Alex McCarthy off his line before launching a speculative pot-shot into the arms of one of about 1,200 spectators huddled together in the Kop.
 
The winger didn't have to wait long to make amends, however, thanks to the impressive Craig Lindfield, who teed him up on the edge of the box.
 
Ryan's not a man to make the same mistake twice, and he made it 1-0 by firing a wicked volley which McCarthy found too hot to handle.
 
The onlooking Rafa Benitez would surely have been impressed as he headed in for a half-time cup of tea.
 
Reading might have scored a total of 10 goals in two previous cup games, but they looked short of ideas after the break when faced with a well-organised Liverpool backline led by Jay Spearing and Robbie Threlfall.
 
Their best chance fell to Adam Bygrave, who latched on to a deflected cross only to be left red-faced when his sidefooted effort spiralled into the stand.
 
Minutes later his teammate James Henry prompted the loudest cheer of the night when he emerged apparently unscathed after crashing headfirst into Row One of the Kop.
 
Meanwhile, half-time substitute and Patrick Berger lookalike Astrit Ajdarevic was showing some classy touches in the centre of Liverpool's midfield.
 
The 16-year-old Swede clearly has an eye for a pass and is not afraid to put his foot in, though he could have earned a yellow card for a rash challenge on the edge of his own box as the game entered its final third.
 
A deflection sent the resulting free-kick from Simon Church spinning towards the top corner of Hansen's net, but the fledgling stopper was once again more than alert.
 
As against Chelsea in the fourth round, left-winger Ray Putterill showed great willingness to run at his man, and it nearly paid dividends when he fired a pinpoint cross to Jimmy Ryan after leaving his opponent for dead.
 
Ryan creating a few yards for himself before unleashing a swerved shot which floated narrowly wide.
 
Reading twice came close to equalising in the final 10 minutes, but on both occasions were denied by Carragher-esque clearances from full-back Michael Burns.
 
Liverpoolfc.tv man of the match: Jimmy Ryan.
 
Martin Hansen, Stephen Darby, Michael Burns, Jay Spearing (capt), Robbie Threlfall, Charlie Barnett, Jimmy Ryan, Ryan Flynn, Craig Lindfield, Lee Woodward (Astrit Ajdarevic 45), Ray Putterill (Michael Collins 85). 

Well played the junior Reds

appartently Steve Highway is expecting very big things from Swede Astrit Ajdarevic.

well done young fellas. well done.

A couple of thousand there last night.  Good crowd.  Good victory.

An away tie next but hopefully the reds can get past them and move on to the Semi's.  Is the Semi's two legs?

A couple of thousand there last night.  Good crowd.  Good victory.

An away tie next but hopefully the reds can get past them and move on to the Semi's.  Is the Semi's two legs?

Yeah, went last year, brilliant atmosphere and quite of few of the first team showed up to support the kids   

They should have the Final in Cardiff!!! I'm dieing to go one last time!!

YOUNG REDS HALFWAY TO THE FINAL  
Jimmy Rice 10 March 2007  

Liverpool under-18s are halfway to the Youth Cup final after an action-packed first-leg victory over Newcastle United at St James's Park on Saturday.  
The holders, who beat Man City in last year's dramatic final, travel back to Merseyside with a 4-2 semi-final lead thanks to goals from Ryan Flynn (2), Charlie Barnett and Craig Lindfield.
  
Steve Heighway's side know from experience not to take anything for granted, but they'll go into the second leg at Anfield a week on Monday as favourites to face either Manchester United or Arsenal in the final.
  
The visitors stated their intentions from the off, dominating the opening exchanges and creating the first chance almost before the watching Peter Beardsley had taken his seat. Unfortunately 16-year-old Swede Astrit Ajdarevic was unable to direct a six-yard header under the bar. Still, it boded well.
  
Minutes later Magpies keeper Mark Cook was forced into a decent save when a Jimmy Ryan cross from the right swerved towards his top corner.
  
Shortly after a whipped in cross by Jimmy Ryan was met by the head of Craig Lindfield. This time the ball hit the hoardings.
  
Anyone who watched Newcastle's midweek UEFA Cup tie with Az Alkmaar wouldn't have anticipated any sort of crowd for a Youth Cup tie, but a good few thousand Geordies came out to support their boys on this Saturday lunchtime.
  
They had to wait almost 20 minutes for their side's first shot on goal, Kazenga Lualua drilling a 20-yard effort well wide. Newcastle officials were unable to confirm what relation he was to Lomana, but his cousin/brother/uncle would not have been proud.
  
Whatever, on 24 minutes Charlie Barnett gave him a shooting lesson when he crashed a stunning 30-yard drive into the bottom left-hand corner of Cook's net. The young Reds have scored some cracking goals en route to the semis - this was up there with the best.
  
One nil down and struggling to carve out any real chances, the hosts were reduced to long shots from the lively Lualua.
  
Whenever they did threaten during the first half, Burns, Spearing, Threlfall and Darby were on hand to clear away the danger. Behind them, Danish keeper Martin Hansen punched, caught and commanded with a composure which belied his 16 years.
  
Mind, he nearly came a cropper when a Stephen Darby back-header floated feet above his head. Luckily it bounced narrowly wide.
  
Liverpool's second came five minutes before the break when hot prospect Ajdarevic chipped a lovely through-ball to Lindfield, whose goal owed as much to the intelligence of his run as the coolness of his finish.
  
The Youth Cup veteran used all his experience to evade the offside trap and get himself one-on-one, then slotted neatly into the bottom left-hand corner of Cook's net.
  
The second half began more promisingly for the hosts, who nearly pulled one back just after the restart when Lualua burst through the Red defence. Hansen's save rolled dangerously through the box but Ryan Donaldson hit wide in front of an open goal.
  
However, 15 minutes into the half Liverpool, without the suspended Ray Putterill, got their third. It came when Cook parried a Charlie Barnett stinger from the D and Ryan Flynn tucked home from two yards.
  
To their credit Newcastle didn't let their heads drop and pulled one back almost immediately when Andy Carroll nodded a high free-kick beyond the oncoming Hansen. Game back on.
  
And what a game it was turning out to be. On 68 minutes the Reds made it four thanks to a defensive lapse which put Ryan Flynn through on goal. Cook knew what was coming next but was lame to respond to a fine lob which bounced satisfyingly into the hosts' net.
  
The holders' cup campaign has attracted ever-increasing numbers of journalists as the rounds have progressed, and the hacks had barely added a full-stop to Liverpool's fourth when the plucky Newcastle boys pulled another back.
  
There was a hint of an own goal when a curling free-kick was diverted into Hansen's net, but the stadium announcer credited striker Andy Carroll and no one in the Liverpool dressing room will complain at that.
  
Liverpoolfc.tv man of the match: Ryan Flynn.
  
Attendance: 4,006
  
Liverpool under-18s: Martin Hansen, Stephen Darby, Michael Burns, Jay Spearing (capt), Robbie Threlfall, Charlie Barnett, Jimmy Ryan, Ryan Flynn, Craig Lindfield, Steve Irwin (Sean Highdale 84), Astrit Ajdarevic.

 

well done again young fellas, looks like these lads can go all the way again.

Well done lads.  The FA Youth Cup will look good next to big ears number 6.

A week on Monday at Anfield for the return leg.. Any ideas what time kick off is etc.

I would also like to know more about this game, last time it was £4.00 to get in, is it going to be the same

YOUNG REDS HALFWAY TO THE FINAL 
Jimmy Rice 10 March 2007 

Liverpool under-18s are halfway to the Youth Cup final after an action-packed first-leg victory over Newcastle United at St James's Park on Saturday. 
The holders, who beat Man City in last year's dramatic final, travel back to Merseyside with a 4-2 semi-final lead thanks to goals from Ryan Flynn (2), Charlie Barnett and Craig Lindfield.
 
Steve Heighway's side know from experience not to take anything for granted, but they'll go into the second leg at Anfield a week on Monday as favourites to face either Manchester United or Arsenal in the final.
 
The visitors stated their intentions from the off, dominating the opening exchanges and creating the first chance almost before the watching Peter Beardsley had taken his seat. Unfortunately 16-year-old Swede Astrit Ajdarevic was unable to direct a six-yard header under the bar. Still, it boded well.
 
Minutes later Magpies keeper Mark Cook was forced into a decent save when a Jimmy Ryan cross from the right swerved towards his top corner.
 
Shortly after a whipped in cross by Jimmy Ryan was met by the head of Craig Lindfield. This time the ball hit the hoardings.
 
Anyone who watched Newcastle's midweek UEFA Cup tie with Az Alkmaar wouldn't have anticipated any sort of crowd for a Youth Cup tie, but a good few thousand Geordies came out to support their boys on this Saturday lunchtime.
 
They had to wait almost 20 minutes for their side's first shot on goal, Kazenga Lualua drilling a 20-yard effort well wide. Newcastle officials were unable to confirm what relation he was to Lomana, but his cousin/brother/uncle would not have been proud.
 
Whatever, on 24 minutes Charlie Barnett gave him a shooting lesson when he crashed a stunning 30-yard drive into the bottom left-hand corner of Cook's net. The young Reds have scored some cracking goals en route to the semis - this was up there with the best.
 
One nil down and struggling to carve out any real chances, the hosts were reduced to long shots from the lively Lualua.
 
Whenever they did threaten during the first half, Burns, Spearing, Threlfall and Darby were on hand to clear away the danger. Behind them, Danish keeper Martin Hansen punched, caught and commanded with a composure which belied his 16 years.
 
Mind, he nearly came a cropper when a Stephen Darby back-header floated feet above his head. Luckily it bounced narrowly wide.
 
Liverpool's second came five minutes before the break when hot prospect Ajdarevic chipped a lovely through-ball to Lindfield, whose goal owed as much to the intelligence of his run as the coolness of his finish.
 
The Youth Cup veteran used all his experience to evade the offside trap and get himself one-on-one, then slotted neatly into the bottom left-hand corner of Cook's net.
 
The second half began more promisingly for the hosts, who nearly pulled one back just after the restart when Lualua burst through the Red defence. Hansen's save rolled dangerously through the box but Ryan Donaldson hit wide in front of an open goal.
 
However, 15 minutes into the half Liverpool, without the suspended Ray Putterill, got their third. It came when Cook parried a Charlie Barnett stinger from the D and Ryan Flynn tucked home from two yards.
 
To their credit Newcastle didn't let their heads drop and pulled one back almost immediately when Andy Carroll nodded a high free-kick beyond the oncoming Hansen. Game back on.
 
And what a game it was turning out to be. On 68 minutes the Reds made it four thanks to a defensive lapse which put Ryan Flynn through on goal. Cook knew what was coming next but was lame to respond to a fine lob which bounced satisfyingly into the hosts' net.
 
The holders' cup campaign has attracted ever-increasing numbers of journalists as the rounds have progressed, and the hacks had barely added a full-stop to Liverpool's fourth when the plucky Newcastle boys pulled another back.
 
There was a hint of an own goal when a curling free-kick was diverted into Hansen's net, but the stadium announcer credited striker Andy Carroll and no one in the Liverpool dressing room will complain at that.
 
Liverpoolfc.tv man of the match: Ryan Flynn.
 
Attendance: 4,006
 
Liverpool under-18s: Martin Hansen, Stephen Darby, Michael Burns, Jay Spearing (capt), Robbie Threlfall, Charlie Barnett, Jimmy Ryan, Ryan Flynn, Craig Lindfield, Steve Irwin (Sean Highdale 84), Astrit Ajdarevic. 

well done again young fellas, looks like these lads can go all the way again.

Well done lads, one thing. I hate it the way that the final is played over two legs. Strange...

Our young boys have a big future