Liverpool FC Forum

[PabloMedina28]

its weird because for a few years weve had a good team at reserves and youth levels but no real stars pacheco aside but now we have a few very very good prospects suso steerling wisdom etc but the teams dont seem as strong
saying that id rather get 3 or 4 into the first team squad then have a winning reserve and youth team providing nothing to the first team

[NANNY RED]

Nice read this ,

'We want world's top starlets'
28th Oct 2010 - Latest News

It's fair to say a lot has happened at Liverpool Football Club since Rodolfo Borrell breezed through the Academy entrance in the summer of 2009.

A new first-team manager and a change in ownership represent just two of the seismic ripples in the club's timeline; the result, an altogether different environment for the former Barcelona man.

The dawn of a new era is very much underway in L4, but while all around him seems to have shifted, Borrell has remained a constant, tirelessly applying the principles that served him so well during his time in Catalonia.

And few could argue with a CV that boasts the names of Lionel Messi, Gerard Pique and Andres Iniesta; testament to the Spaniard's innate knack for moulding players into first-team stars.

Alongside Frank McParland, Kenny Dalglish and Pep Segura, he has spearheaded a new approach to the club's youth system, one that has already begun to pay dividends.

Last season Jack Robinson became the youngest player in Liverpool history while this year the likes of Tom Ince and David Amoo have had brief flirtations with Roy Hodgson's starting XI.

Borrell admits he is pleased with the progress they have made so far but insists there is still much work to do if Liverpool are to achieve their goal of having one of the best youth systems in Europe.

"When you look at the level of the Academy when I arrived here and the level at Barcelona then you can see that it takes time to get anywhere near that," he told Liverpoolfc.tv when we caught up with him at the Academy earlier this week.

"In the 15 months we have been here players have developed. That is obvious, everyone is talking about that.

"The new owners will have plans for the first-team and that is a priority, but my own opinion is that if we got a little bit more investment we could make the squad more competitive and ensure the very best young talent is found in Kirkby."

Borrell clearly has well defined ideas on how to take Liverpool's Academy to the next step, but that's not to say he underestimates the strides they've made so far.

"We have been working very hard," he continued.

"It's not just what myself and Pep Segura have done. Frank McParland and Kenny Dalglish have been massive in the progress since I arrived and, on a personal note, they have been tremendously helpful in helping me to settle into life here.

"That's important because all of the people involved in our youth set-up must share a vision. That is essential if we are to develop young players that are of the quality that Liverpool's first-team demands. It's impossible if there is a division.

"I think you can see the unity here and the result is the great progress we have made. All of the teams play with the same style, the same philosophy.

"This ensures continuity from team to team and coach to coach."

The summer departure of Rafael Benitez, the man who tasked Borrell with revamping the U18s, could have resulted in a complete change of emphasis.

However, he has been delighted by the input of Hodgson and feels that the youth system in place will continue to improve under the new regime.

"Obviously Roy's main focus is the first-team and the majority of his time is spent planning with his squad," he said.

"But I do speak to him regularly. Sometimes here, sometimes at Melwood.

"He knows we've got some good players coming through.

"Andre Wisdom is showing big standards and then there are the likes of John Flanagan, Jack Robinson and Tom Ince. There are several players making progress towards the first-team. Of course, I'm pleased about that because my main target is to develop players.

"That is what I have been doing all of my life and that is why Liverpool brought me here."

Under the leadership of Borrell, Liverpool's U18s have emerged as one of the most stylish sides in the FA Premier Academy League.

An unbeaten 10 match run at the end of the 2009-10 season was followed by a bright opening this time around.

Such success inevitably leads to call-ups to the international scene and the prospect of a lull in results, a situation that the Reds coach sees as a double-edged sword.

"Sometimes we are struggling because we have had players called up. This does not mean that those that come in aren't very good," he said.

"It just means you have younger players and the opposition are much stronger physically. It was the situation we faced at the beginning of last season and the one we have had over the last few weeks.

"When you are Liverpool, the other teams put everything into it. In the last league game versus West Brom, they included a reserve goalkeeper as one of their over-age players.

"This was the first time he featured for them - why? Because they are playing Liverpool.

"It's not an excuse, it's just the reality we face when players are called up for the international team.

"The more success we have and the more we bring through talented players, then the more call-ups we will have. This is something for the club to be proud of, great for the players and myself, but not so good for the squad.

"You are losing these players and still being asked to play league matches. That is not the case at first-team level, so I do not understand why we do it with the Academy teams.

"If we are helping the national team then I think the FA must protect them. In Spain you have the right to postpone the game. I think this makes sense and I would like someone to think about implementing a similar system here."

The cosmopolitan nature of the modern game inevitably means that the search for young talent has taken on a global scale.

However, Borrell believes that the successful ingredients Liverpool are looking for is more likely to be unearthed nearer to Southport, rather than South America.

"I don't know all of the players across the country, but I admire the characteristics of a Scouse player, he has something special," he said.

"He is a player that learns quickly, is very competitive, aggressive and disciplined. He is always ready to fight for his team. I don't think that is the case for every player in England, I think there is something different about Scouse players.

"We are investing a lot more in players from around Liverpool.

"I am happy with all of our Scousers - but if you ask me if I see players with that extra special talent, like Lionel Messi, then I have to be honest. I do not see anyone of that calibre.

"But we have players with some good ingredients that with the right focus and hard work, will go through and be competitive for the first-team of Liverpool."

Borrell's passionate analysis of what he feels makes the archetypal Liverpool player shows he has a clear affinity with the club, one that has seen him immerse himself in the local culture.

His track record and success on the pitch is well documented but what of his life away from football?

"Sometimes if I have two days off - which doesn't happen often - I like to get out and see some of the country," he said. "I've been to York, Conwy, the Lake District...

"Many years ago I visited Britain for 25 days and went to the Isle of Sky, Glasgow and Inverness among other places. It was me and three friends who drove here in a car from Barcelona.

"As you can see, I'm not a typical Spaniard. I don't desire to go home when I have time off. Last season, I only went home for one week to see my family over Christmas. I think that shows how happy I am here.

"I have recently had a son and I wanted him to be born in Liverpool so that I will always remember my time here. I'm really proud I have a Scouser as a son!

"I spoke with my wife and we did discuss the possibility of him being born in Barcelona. But we finally decided to have him here. It was more my decision I suppose but I am really happy with it.

"I want my son to always remind me that I have been a part of a club that has one of the greatest histories in football."

Such words are expressed with endearing enthusiasm and it is obvious Borrell seems more than content with life on Merseyside - both on and off the pitch.

But what of the future? Does he see himself at Liverpool further down the line?

"I hope so," he added.

"I love Liverpool and want to ensure the future is bright for this great club. I hope I can help to bring through players that the fans are going to appreciate and, most importantly, lead the club to more trophy success."

Author: Paul Hassall

http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/news....tarlets

[metalhead]

I heard that some starlets are making really good progress down the academy, hopefully in 3 years time we can see some of them at least breaking into the first team.

Its also good to hear that he finds scouse players different than english players, because they are scouse not english  

[Ben Patrick]

tom ince and steve darby have gone out on loan to notts county.
Be good for them to get some proper competitive football.

[JamCar05]

tom ince and steve darby have gone out on loan to notts county.
Be good for them to get some proper competitive football.

Agreed it will be good for them to gain some experience. I really don't think Darby will ever make the grade here though unfortunately. He's 22 now as far as I know and is behind Johnson, Kelly and even Carra for the rb spot. We might as well try to sell him soon and get a few hundred thousands imo.

[TarnRed]

Anybody see the reserves last night in monsoon conditions against Sunderland?.

Suso was simply unbelievable some of the stuff this lad does with the ball is truly breathtaking.

His technique, first touch awareness before and when recieving the ball, the way he drifts past players, passing long & short, quick and intricate, movement, how he knows where other players are and opposition players are before recieving the ball or when recieving the ball is of real quality, better than anything I've seen at reserve team level in many a years.

He reminds me of a young Ces Fabregas, for me the lad isn't far away from the first team and if he carries on improving the way he is he has to be knocking on the door of the first team squad. This isn't any bias either or trying to build up the lad in any way shape or form, for me he really is that good.

[JoeTerp]

U18s beat Bolton 6-0 at the weekend.  Brace for Toni Silva, Ngoo and Adjoran amongst the goals as well.

[Ben Patrick]

Very good news this from the offal...


Spanish youngster Suso has signed his first professional contract to keep him at Liverpool until 2013.

The forward - who can also play in midfield - put pen to paper after turning 17 on Friday.

The news will be welcomed by anyone who has watched the reserves this season, with Suso excelling against older and more experienced pros.

A highlight of his fledgling career to date came with a 25-yard belter against Newcastle Reserves.

Noted for his fine first touch and ability to pick out a pass, Suso featured briefly in our pre-season friendly against Borussia Monchengladbach and got his first taste of playing at Anfield in the second half of Jamie Carragher's testimonial.

[metalhead]

I can see Suso breaking into the first team next season if he keeps playing really well against older oppositions

[lakes10]

18 to 21 is the problem area right now, they are the real back up for the first team and its still weak, there was a good bit on 5 live with Ian rush saying how the club needs to start looking at the young british kids again as he feels he was missed a few good ones over the last 7 years and spent too much time and money looking overseas.


the truth is that apart from the first team we dont have much to show for the work that we have beed told that has been done over the last few years, a lot of the younger kids have been let go.

the new owners have a good idea of looking for british kids and to bring them up in the Liverpool way and under the wing of the club (going by what ian rush says), its good news in my eyes, its been way too long since we let one person run all side of the clubs players, it did not work and you have got to feel this will.

[Waldo]

Only good news to have kids like Suso committing their future to the club.

[PabloMedina28]

yh its great but he needs a chance, look at pacheco hes pure class but he aint gonna show it on the bench, frustrates me when i see players like spearing getting a chance in the team while pacheco is sat on the bench or more often at home on his

[Fauxy]

Suso is already better than Pacheco imo.

Should be breaking into the first team next season at this rate

[roysreds]

Very good news this from the offal...


Spanish youngster Suso has signed his first professional contract to keep him at Liverpool until 2013.

The forward - who can also play in midfield - put pen to paper after turning 17 on Friday.

The news will be welcomed by anyone who has watched the reserves this season, with Suso excelling against older and more experienced pros.

A highlight of his fledgling career to date came with a 25-yard belter against Newcastle Reserves.

Noted for his fine first touch and ability to pick out a pass, Suso featured briefly in our pre-season friendly against Borussia Monchengladbach and got his first taste of playing at Anfield in the second half of Jamie Carragher's testimonial.

.
I'd love to think we were holding back on him till we got him signed up.

That he really is the next coming

can't wait to buy a reds shirt with Jesus 7 on the back


.

[Waldo]

From tonights reserve report on Pacheco -

"Liverpool had seemingly weathered Everton's early onslaught and, with Pacheco pulling the strings in a central role, set about taking the game to their neighbours."

Maybe proves the point that management don't see him as a wide man??