ACADEMY: Frustrating time for Liverpool FC’s U18s

Feb 5 2008 by Chris Wright, Liverpool Daily Post

AFTER the highs of their FA Youth Cup win over Arsenal last week, Liverpool under-18s suffered a frustrating afternoon back in league action on Saturday.

With five changes to the side who beat the Gunners 1-0 at Anfield in midweek, Liverpool lost by the same scoreline to Huddersfield Town at the Kirkby Academy.

Hugh McAuley’s side put in a below-par performance and are still looking for their first Premier Academy League victory of 2008.

Huddersfield scored when German striker Marvin Pourie gave the ball away in his own area and the visitors took advantage to score on 70 minutes.

Despite having plenty of possession Liverpool had few chances and coach McAuley had no complaints. He said: “We had a lot of possession, but we didn’t create a great deal. Our passing and control wasn’t up to scratch. We also gave the ball away carelessly and it was the type of game where you were waiting for the obvious thing to happen.

“And it did when Marvin Pourie gave the ball away and they scored. It was disappointing that we conceded. We didn’t play as well as we can, but the lads worked hard without having a cutting edge.”

Liverpool will bid to finally get that first success when they entertain Stoke City at the Kirkby Academy this Saturday (kick-off 11am).

They will be looking for a positive result and performance ahead of the next tie in their defence of the FA Youth Cup, when they take on Sunderland in the fifth round at the Stadium Of Light a week tomorrow (kick-off 7pm).

McAuley said: “We must develop a winning mentality and the lads must want to win all the games – that is very important. We played well against Arsenal, but we didn’t against Huddersfield and got what we deserved. But the one thing about it is that attitude has been right in all the games.

“We just need to sharpen up in the penalty area. That had been the big positive in our team this year, when we were creating and scoring goals. Now it has been reversed with the defence very tight at present.”

Liverpool have a full squad to choose from for Stoke and the Youth Cup against Sunderland.

LIVERPOOL UNDER-18s: Hansen; Awang, Irwin, Kennedy, O’Connor; Parsonage (Eccleston 60), Highdale, Ajdarevic, MacKay-Steven (Kacaniklic 45); Scott (Pourie 60), Amoo. Subs: Oldfield.