FEW clubs know better the highs and lows of two-legged ties than Liverpool.
Usually Liverpool’s youngsters have taken their lead from the first team who have triumphed in so many two-legged ties in Europe over the years. But Hugh McAuley’s side face Birmingham City at St Andrews tonight (kick-off 7pm) in the first leg of the FA Youth Cup in the hope of gaining the result which gives them every chance of getting through to another two-legged final with Arsenal or Manchester City.
While Rafael Benitez’s first team effectively lost their Champions League quarter-final against Chelsea in the first game, McAuley will be keen for his side to get the result which builds the platform to enable them to reach a third Youth final in the past four years when they face Birmingham again for a second time at Anfield (KO 7.45pm) a week tomorrow.
Having already beaten Leeds United, Bristol Rovers, Chelsea and Bolton Wanderers en route to the last four Liverpool are desperate to take that final step.
Coach McAuley said: “It is always two halves in two-legged ties. You are always acutely aware that there is a second game to come. You try to build the foundation in the first game of getting a result and setting it up for the game at Anfield.
“You have to look at the situation on the night and see where you go from there and, without being too cautious, play our normal game. We need to do what we are good at and also defend appropriately and confidently and hope you get the togetherness that gets you a result and sets you up for that second game at Anfield.
“The lads are looking very well. We have had a few good days training now. The fact we didn’t have a game over the weekend has given us a chance to recharge the batteries and get ready to play and the lads who we have got up from Melwood and the reserve team haven’t played over the weekend so we are in good shape and looking forward to the game.
“Birmingham are a well-organised team. They get the ball forward early and it is a different type of playing style to ours. It is something we have to compete with and be ready for, get the ball down and play our own football.
“I am anticipating a very hard game because you don’t get to the semi-final of the Youth Cup competition unless you have decent players and a decent team, which Birmingham have.”
McAuley is hoping his side can build on the experience gained during their run to the semi-finals this evening. Attacking players like Lauri Dalla Valle, David Amoo, Nathan Eccleston and Tom Ince will provide the thrust, with captain Steve Irwin, centre-backs Joe Kennedy and Daniel Ayala and Australian keeper Dean Bouzanis eager to build on their dependable displays in previous rounds.
McAuley added: “The fact they have played at Anfield a couple of times now and beaten good teams at Anfield can help them.
“They have already played a few games in the Youth Cup and some of these boys have experience playing in the reserves and training at Melwood that puts them in good stead for this type of game.
“Obviously this is a high-profile game, a semi-final, adds that little bit more spice to it. They will take that in their stride, they are looking forward to it and hopefully we can give a good account of ourselves in the first leg.
“Alex Kacaniklic is back in full training and our full squad are all fit and available to us. The attacking players will be key obviously, but also the centre-backs Joe Kennedy and Daniel Ayala. They will be instrumental in the game, but it will be a very similar team to what has been playing for us at Youth Cup level this year.”
Reaching another final may be the short-term aim, but as ever McAuley is hoping some of the side can use it as a springboard to success higher up the game.
He said: “It would be a great achievement to reach a third final in four years, but that is the standard of our football club. At the end of the day, though, how well we do in the Youth Cup today or in the past is only relevant if you have players who eventually play in your first team. That is the key.
“I first won in it in 96 with players like Michael Owen, Jamie Carragher and Davie Thompson who all played in the first team at Liverpool. We won it recent years and the likes of Jay Spearing, Stephen Darby and also Jack Hobbs was involved and they have all played in the first team games.
“There is evidence that the best players in your team can go on and do well at first-team level. That is the ultimate aim is to produce players who can take that next step and go to Melwood and progress through the club. The Youth Cup gives them that opportunity to push on with a lot of media attention, and hopefully develop their game and potential in the high-profile games that the Youth Cup provides. We are at that stage.”
LIVERPOOL YOUTH (from): Bouzanis, Wisdom, Ayala, Kennedy, Buchtmann, Amoo, Eccleston, Irwin, Pepper, Kacaniklic, Dalla Valle, Ince, Chamberlain, Roberts, Metcalf, Ellison, Cooper.
