Liverpool Reserves & Academy [R]

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Ablett - Kelly Faces Toughest Challenge (http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/news/drilldown/N163252090214-0753.htm)
"Martin has great ability and potential but it's now down to how he fulfils it," said Ablett.

"He has all the tools in his armoury. He's 6'2, he can run, he has a good passing range, he's aggressive and he can hold the ball up. It's now about how we go about getting him to utilise those qualities to the best of his ability.

"People don't realise he had a serious injury when he was 15 or 16 and went off the radar for the best part of two years. Since he came back, and since we brought him to Melwood, he has done really well.

"What has happened to him this week should be a great confidence booster. But at the same time he has probably done the easy part. Playing for the reserves and playing for England is easy compared to breaking through into the manager's first team plans. We all know how difficult that is and that's the challenge Martin has to set for himself now.

"He's a raw talent and we have to make sure we harness that and take him in the right direction."

Latest News From John Owen And The Academy (http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/news/drilldown/N163240090213-0918.htm)
It's been rather quiet at the Academy this week following our Youth Cup success against Chelsea last Thursday.

There was no league match as a result of that clash and so the boys enjoyed a deserved break at the weekend and have now begun preparations for this Saturday's fixture at West Brom.

Like I say, it's been somewhat uneventful and as close to what you could call a 'normal' week here. The lads have had a mix of education and training and will be looking forward to tomorrow and the chance to get their first league win of 2009 under their belt.

The under-18s have only played twice in the Academy League since the turn of the year and they were both difficult matches against Manchester City and Everton respectively.

I felt the performances were worthy of a little bit more, particularly against our neighbours, who exploited some errors in our defence to secure a flattering 3-2 success.

It means we are now third in the table, and while we don't put too much emphasis on where we are or where we will finish, it would be nice to consolidate that with three points against the Baggies.

In terms of team news, Hughie McAuley will be without Nathan Eccleston who is serving a one-match ban after he was sent off for two bookable offences in the draw with City. However, the blow of losing him will be tempered by the possible inclusion of Daniel Ayala and Steven Irwin from Melwood.

With the Youth Cup quarter final against Bolton on the horizon we may try to field a side close to the one that will compete in that competition, to allow the players time to gel as a unit.

Hopefully we can produce a good performance against both WBA and Crewe (the following week) to take us into the Anfield match with Wanderers in confident mood.

Youngsters Crash To Heavy Defeat (http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/news/drilldown/N163258090214-1438.htm)
Liverpool's youngsters were on the wrong end of a 4-0 thumping by West Bromwich Albion in the Midlands on Saturday afternoon.

"It's unlike us to be as poor as we were today, but we paid the price for making too many mistakes," McAuley told Liverpoolfc.tv.

"Defensively we gave silly goals away and never really looked a threat at the other end. West Brom were brighter and more up for the game than we were, so full credit to them. It was a bit of a hiding for our lads and we can't say it wasn't deserved.

"There wasn't too much to shout about for us really. Joe Kennedy and Thomas Ince did okay, but really we struggled for any spark.

"We were without Dalle Valle and Ellison through injury and Ecclestone was suspended, so that was three of our players ruled out. But that's what we have a squad for and unfortunately the boys just didn't get going at all in the game.

"We just have to pick ourselves up now and learn from the mistakes we made. We gave away bad goals and that's something we're going to have to look at before our next game with Crewe next weekend."

Liverpool: Hansen, Metcalfe, Kennedy, Wisdom, Buchtmann, Kacaniklic, Cooper (Scott), Pepper, Roberts, Ince, Amoo.

[el-capitano]

previous thread......

http://www.bigsoccer.com/forum/showthread.php?t=249115

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Plessis Targets Return To Form (http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/news/drilldown/N163259090215-0908.htm)
"Playing for the first team is always a proud experience for me and for all the young boys," he told LFC Magazine. "But just because you have had a small taste does not mean that there are any guarantees that the chance will come along again.

"I was last involved with the team against Tottenham and it was a very difficult evening. None of us can say honestly that we have done our chances any good in that game.

"So for me it is important that I get back to my best form in the reserve team, consistently, and demonstrate in training every day that I am playing at a high level. Then, hopefully, I can get involved again in the team."

He added: "I think I have improved a lot with the coaching here at Liverpool. I arrived here with experience of France and nothing else and now I have improved.

"In England, where the game is so much quicker, you have to get better. You have less time on the ball before you are tackled, so your touch has to be precise- not just some of the time, but all of the time.

"For the same reasons you have to make faster and better decisions with your passes. I have also become stronger physically than I was when I arrived. I am young, and I still have a lot of things to learn but I am improving every day and hopefully if I listen to what the coaches tell me and use the examples of the experienced players then I can do it."

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English Eyes On Manga (http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11669_4928637,00.html)
Gabonese starlet Bruno Ecuele Manga is reported to be attracting interest from England.

The 20-year-old defender is currently on the books of French second division side SC Angers, but has seen his reputation rise considerably in recent months.

A number of assured performances are believed to have caught the eye of Arsenal and Liverpool, while a host of other teams continue to track his progress.

The youngster may struggle to obtain a work permit in order to allow him to complete a move to the Premier League, but for now Manga is just happy to be drawing admiring glances from some of Europe's most illustrious clubs.

"It is fantastic to get noticed by huge clubs from the Premier League. It means I am doing well," he told skysports.com.

"What I need to do is to concentrate on improving my game and see what happens.

"However, it would be a dream come true to play for a top team. Three years ago I was at FC105 of Libreville (in his homeland) and today I am linked with the best league in the world.

"It is unbelievable, but I am calm. Angers will have the last word anyway. They are the team that gave me my big chance, so they will play a big part in any decision."

Hereford Land Reds Starlet (http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11669_4929434,00.html)
Hereford have tied up an emergency loan deal for Liverpool defender Godwin Antwi.

The promising stopper spent the first half of the season on loan at League One club Tranmere, making six starts for Ronnie Moore's Rovers.

In a bid to garner more first-team experience he has agreed a switch to Edgar Street, initially on a one-month deal with Graham Turner's side.

Antwi was part of Liverpool's FA Youth Cup-winning side in 2006 after joining the Reds from Spanish side Real Zaragoza the year before.

He spent time with Accrington Stanley before enjoying a season-long loan at Hartlepool last term, where he scored one goal in 27 appearances.

[liverbird]

I'm in

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Ablett Eyes Mini-Derby Revenge (http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/news/drilldown/N163282090217-0840.htm)
"It's a game we are all looking forward to," said Ablett.

"We got ourselves into a great position to win the first game when we were 2-0 up and we should have handled it better than we did.

"We conceded some very poor goals which gave them the initiative and we struggled to recover from that.

"I couldn't believe we lost the game and, speaking to the lads at Everton, they felt we were the better footballing side on the night, but as we know it's not always the better footballing side that wins a derby.

"They have got a majority of local boys in their side who they have brought through, and this game means a lot to them.

"We also have boys like Jay Spearing, Stephen Darby, Martin Kelly and Stevie Irwin who have grown up in the Academy and love the derby.

"As a coach I enjoy it because I used to work for Everton. I want to beat people who I regard as my friends and it's the same for them."

Reserves In Profile - Ronald Huth (http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/news/drilldown/N163285090217-0844.htm)
"As a lad growing up in Paraguay I was very aware of all the trophies this club had won," he says. "I knew they were one of the biggest clubs in the world, and what I've seen since I came here has just reiterated that to me.

"I feel like I have progressed as a player here at Liverpool and learned a lot from Gary Ablett and his staff."

If you weren't a footballer?

Someone asked me this yesterday and I told them that the thought had never crossed my mind. I think only about being a footballer because it's what I have always wanted to be.

Three things you'd take to a desert island?

My phone, a ball and a radio.

Favourite thing about England?

The football – it is some of the best football in the world.

Worst thing about England?

The weather.

Last book?

It was a Paraguayan novel – it was so long ago that I can't remember what it was about!

Favourite music?

Reggaeton. It's a mix of salsa and reggae. I put it on in the dressing room sometimes – the Spanish lads like it, but the English not so much!

Who is the longest in the shower among the ressies?

Jordy Brouwer.

Who did you support as a boy?

Tacuary FC in Paraguay.

Favourite sport aside from football?

Tennis or volleyball, but only when I go home.

Career highlight?

The moment I signed for Liverpool.

[Suss]

I watched a little bit of the mini-derby today. Danny Pacheco stands out above everyone. I think he has a future at the club.

[Red Bird]

I watched a little bit of the mini-derby today. Danny Pacheco stands out above everyone. I think he has a future at the club.

What about Everton's goal, then? :eek:

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Reds Held To Mini-Derby Draw (http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/news/drilldown/N163291090217-2059.htm)
Liverpool Reserves have been held to a 1-1 draw with Everton after Dani Pacheco forced Blues defender Hope Akpan into heading into his own net to cancel out a bizarre opening goal at the Halton Stobart Stadium in Widnes.
Both sides had their fair share of chances to net a winner in this end-to-end match, but a 1-1 draw is a fair result and mini bragging rights will have to be shared on this occasion.

The result sees Liverpool move one place up to eighth in the Barclays Premier Reserve League North.

Liverpool just shaded a lively first half but went into the break level at 1-1 after both sides found the net courtesy of unusual circumstances in the space of four minutes.

Nathan Craig struck the first blow for the Blues as a result of a calamitous mix-up from a unofficial drop ball on the half-hour mark before a Dani Pacheco free-kick forced Everton winger Hope Akpan into heading into his own net four minutes later.

With debutant Victor Palsson occupying a right-sided position and Gerardo Bruna taking up a role on the left flank, this reserves XI seemed set out to really stretch Andy Holden’s side at every available opportunity.

And paid dividends it did. The Reds started the brighter of the two sides and nearly took the lead when Pacheco and Andras Simon combined to set up the oncoming Jay Spearing to shoot with one minute of the match played, but an Everton defender was well placed on the line to clear.

Pacheco jinked in through the defence seven minutes later, but his shot was parried away by Blues keeper Carlo Nash. It was a dangerous run from Pacheco and he could have took the ball much further in to the danger zone.

The Spanish striker continued to look dangerous and set up an unmarked Simon with a floated cross on 19 minutes, but despite doing all the right things, his header didn’t have enough power on it and didn’t threaten the Everton rearguard.

But Everton were typically well drilled and stood up to Liverpool’s advances on each occasion. The Reds might have got in behind the Blues’ rearguard on a few occasions, but they would be left to rue failing to take advantage of those early attacks when Everton bizarrely took the lead on the half-hour mark.

Out of the ordinary to say the least, Blues left winger Nathan Craig sportingly lofted a pass from just outside the centre circle to Hansen in the Liverpool goal after the Reds put the ball out of play so Emmanuel Mendy could receive treatment for a knock.

But rather than controlling and resuming the play, Hansen completely missed the ball and it rolled through his legs and across the line to give Everton the lead. What started as a piece of fair play ended up giving Everton the lead.

Taking everyone by surprise, that goal will surely be a prime candidate for 'A Question Of Sport's' 'What Happened Next' - if the cameras picked it up, that is.

But Everton would not enjoy their lead for long and Liverpool drew level from a well-worked free-kick on 34 minutes. Pacheco drilled in a fine ball from near the corner flag before Everton midfielder Hope Akpan flicked the ball into his own net to level matters.

The stadium announcer credited Pacheco with the goal, but it was clear that Akpan had headed home from the near post to gift Liverpool an equaliser. After half an hour’s positive build-up play from the likes of Spearing, Pacheco, Simon and Bruna, it was only what Gary Ablett’s men deserved.

With a sizeable home crowd urging them on, Everton pushed up the pitch at the start of the second half, but they also left a few gaps at the back.

Gerardo Bruna turned two defenders before unleashing a shot inches over the bar on 48 minutes, but then Eunan O’Kane came close at the other end and hit the side netting three minutes later. It was clear that both sides were looking to take the lead.

Similar to the recent derby trilogy, Everton started to rely on their threat from set pieces in their quest to find a winner, while Liverpool looked more worried with each dead-ball situation.

The Blues came even closer to scoring when James McCarten rattled the bar with a powerful header on 56 minutes. McCarten rose to meet a corner and Hansen managed to tip the ball onto the bar before clearing.

But true to form of this end-to-end affair, Pacheco then came within a whisker of going through on goal when he almost brought the ball down inside the Everton penalty area. The long pass from Spearing bounced a few inches in front of the Spaniard and to safety.

Looking to introduce an extra dimension to their play, the Blues brought on former Arsenal youth player Kieran Agard for goalscorer Nathan Craig with just under 20 minutes remaining.

And he seemed to make a difference down the left flank and went on a mazy run before the ball ended up at the feet of Akpan, who came close to make amends for his earlier own goal with a speculative effort from seven yards out. But Hansen blocked and Spearing cleared.

Liverpool continued to push for a winner, however, and Bruna came agonisingly close to scoring with three minutes to go.

But Everton also threatened at the other end and Luke Powell rattled the post with a fierce right-footed shot seconds later.

All in all it seemed that both sides cancelled each other out in this entertaining mini derby. Everton and Liverpool had chances to snatch a win, but on reflection a draw is probably a fair result.

Liverpoolfc.tv man of the match: Involved in every Liverpool attack, Daniel Pacheco put in a stand-out performance here.

Everton: Carlo Nash, Seamus Coleman, Moses Barnett, James Wallace, John Irving, James McCarten, Luke Powell, Hope Akpan, Scott Spencer, Eunan O’Kane, Nathan Craig (Agard, 72).

Unused substitutes: Lars Stubhaug, Shane Duffy, Conor McAleny, Gerard Kinsella.

Liverpool: Martin Hansen, Emmanuel Mendy, Stephen Darby, Mikel San Jose, Martin Kelly, Damien Plessis, Victor Palsson (Weijl, 75), Jay Spearing, Andras Simon, Daniel Pacheco, Gerardo Bruna (Flora, 89).

Unused substitutes: Steven Irwin, Dean Bouzanis, Ronald Huth.

Ian Beale At The Academy (http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/news/drilldown/N163287090217-1050.htm)
On arriving at the Academy I was introduced to the staff and got a guided tour. What a fantastic set-up.

Over in the indoor training facility, about 100 local children were having a coaching session in front of the European Cup. The look on their faces as it was removed from its case was worth the trip in itself - my son even got his photo taken with it. He's now got his hands on Ol' Big Ears, just like his dad 28 years ago. I was so lucky in the summer of '81 getting a trip to Anfield as a birthday present, and I saw up close the splendor of the Charity Shield, League Cup, European Cup and, most importantly, the League Championship.

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Agent - Liverpool Interested In Kerrison (http://www.goal.com/en-us/news/1713/liverpool/2009/02/17/1114515/liverpool-interested-in-keirrison-agent)
Liverpool are apparently interested in taking Palmeiras 20-year old striker Keirrison from his native Brazil to Europe, according to comments made by his agent to the Italian media.

"We agree with Palmeiras that Keirrison will stay in Brazil until the end of 2009 because we want Palmeiras to fight for the Brazilian championship and the Copa Libertadores," Roberto Benevides is reported by Setanta Sports as telling the Italian press.

"We believe the technical merit and market price of the player may also double in this period.

"Major European clubs have asked about him: I am referring to Liverpool, Real Madrid and Bayern Munich."

One club who had been strongly linked with Keirrison are Italian giants Roma, but such a move was firmly ruled out by Benevides, who concluded, "Roma? No, we have never received any call from the Giallorossi."

[Grinners89]

I watched a little bit of the mini-derby today. Danny Pacheco stands out above everyone. I think he has a future at the club.

He has also been playing as a central midfielder for a few recent games and showed some awareness in that position.

He is definitely suited to a deeper attacking role where he can be consantly involved in the play.

Once he learns to not over-do everything and to make those team-efficient decisions consistently, then im sure he will step up into the first team.

Rafa will only bring him into the first team on a regular basis once he has his mentality is right, the technical and tactical parts of his game are consistent and the physical side of his game is also good enough.

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He has also been playing as a central midfielder for a few recent games and showed some awareness in that position.

He is definitely suited to a deeper attacking role where he can be consantly involved in the play.

Once he learns to not over-do everything and to make those team-efficient decisions consistently, then im sure he will step up into the first team.

Rafa will only bring him into the first team on a regular basis once he has his mentality is right, the technical and tactical parts of his game are consistent and the physical side of his game is also good enough.

Expect him to get loaned out. Possibly next year. Once he gets his mentality right, like you said, Rafa will want him to get regular first team experience.

[Kawklee]

Which clubs youth academy would ya'll rate as number one, and why?

[Grinners89]

Expect him to get loaned out. Possibly next year. Once he gets his mentality right, like you said, Rafa will want him to get regular first team experience.

In terms of experience and being ready for 1st team football...

Pacheco < Nemeth < Ngog

Pacheco is probably 1 year behind Nemeth, who is probably one year behind Ngog. Three very promising young strikers and all have different qualities as well. Everything looks very good for the future.

[Grinners89]

Which clubs youth academy would ya'll rate as number one, and why?

Ajax, Clairefontaine, Barca, Real Madrid, Sevilla, Gremio, Athletic Bilbao, Sporting CP, West Ham, Middlesbrough.

Generally i'd say that is a fairly good order.

Arguably Ajax, Clairefontaine, Barca and Madrid are the best 4...although it is very hard to determine who is the best. Its not something that can be easily measured.

[liverbird]

Ajax, Clairefontaine, Barca, Real Madrid, Sevilla, Gremio, Athletic Bilbao, Sporting CP, West Ham, Middlesbrough.

Generally i'd say that is a fairly good order.

Arguably Ajax, Clairefontaine, Barca and Madrid are the best 4...although it is very hard to determine who is the best. Its not something that can be easily measured.

Damn Grinners -- is there anything you aren't an expert at?

[Grinners89]

Damn Grinners -- is there anything you aren't an expert at?

Yes...the ability to not have arguments on BigSoccer ;)

[liverbird]

Yes...the ability to not have arguments on BigSoccer ;) well played

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Reds Eye Spanish Starlet (http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11669_4938880,00.html)
Liverpool are understood to have a preferential option to sign Espanyol wonder kid Oscar Sielva.

The 17-year-old is hot property in Spain and Reds boss Rafa Benitez is thought to have made enquires when landing Albert Riera in the summer.

Sielva, who played against Manchester United in a pre-season friendly, is an attacking midfielder and is valued at around £2million.

Meanwhile, 12-year-old Esbjerg GF goalkeeper Mark Thomsen is set to undergo a trial at Anfield in a bid to impress the club's youth coaches.

Liverpool do not sign foreign players under the age of 16, but Thomsen has already impressed one of the Premier League outfit's talent scouts, Jimmy Hansen.

"I could see that Mark has the possibilities and the force that is necessary," Hansen told Jydske Vestkysten.

"When I saw him again later, I noticed great improvements."

Ablett Hails Reds Response (http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/news/drilldown/N163297090218-1209.htm)
"I don't think even Martin understands what happened with that goal,"

"He just took his eye off the ball and wanted to catch it to start the play again. But obviously he didn't do that and it’s gone between his legs and in the net for a goal.

"I'm sure the referee knew what had gone on and I think he was as shocked as all of us to see the ball go in the net. We were disappointed to concede that way, but these things can happen in football.

"This is what it's all about lads of Martin's age - he's only 18 and can learn from mistakes like that. To be fair to him he did ever so well to bounce back from that mistake and made some good saves in the rest of the game.

"You just have to get on with these things and I thought all the lads responded very well.

"The quality of the delivery from Dani Pacheco's free-kick into the penalty area for the equaliser a few minutes later was top class. I know it hit one of the Everton lads on the way in, but it was a great ball in and forced them into making a mistake."

Ablett insisted he was happy with the point and said: "From our point of view I think a draw is probably a fair result. Considering the manner in which we conceded and the fact that they hit the woodwork twice, they might be a little bit disappointed not to win.

"We told the boys before the match that Everton would be set up in pretty much exactly the same formation as the first team, and I thought we had decent passages of play at times.

"We had a lot of posession and played a lot of good football, but at the end of the day I think Everton had to best of the chances to win the match.

"All credit to them, they made things difficult for us and it was very hard to break them down

"But we did well to get in behind them and created a lot of chances."
Spearing:
"To be honest, I didn't see that goal at all. I was talking to Dani Pacheco at the time and everyone started screaming - I didn't really know what was going on.

"I turned around and asked a few of the lads, who told me the ball and gone through Martin's legs for a goal. All we could do was get on with it and give him some support.

"But he made some great saves after that and I think he kept us in the game at times in the second half. He tipped one header onto the bar with and responded very well."

"Any match between these two clubs will always be very competitive - the challenges were really flying in tonight and you've just have to get above that and try to play some football," said Spearing.

"I thought we passed the ball really well in the first 20 minutes and caused Everton a lot of problems with some one-touch football, but we just couldn't get the extra touch to finish each move off.

"Then in the second half we seemed to stop playing a little bit and made things hard for ourselves. But you have to give Everton their due, they had a strong formation and kept things together well."

Mini-Derby Picture Special (http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/news/drilldown/N163293090218-1014.htm)

Loan Stars Impress In League One (http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/news/drilldown/N163292090218-0913.htm)
Liverpool duo Godwin Antwi and Peter Gulacsi put in impressive displays to help loan side Hereford United sink former Premier League giants Leeds on Tuesday.

Hungarian keeper Gulacsi saved a Lee Trundle penalty during the 2-0 victory, while Antwi, whose emergency move was completed only yesterday, set up a goal.

The duo are two of a host of young Reds making waves in the Football League.

Winger Adam Hammill made his debut as a substitute for Barnsley in their victory over Sheffield Wednesday on Tuesday, while Scottish midfielder Ryan Flynn scored for Wrexham in a 3-2 win over Grays Athletic at the weekend.

Centre-back Jack Hobbs and goalkeeper David Martin have been key in Leicester City gaining a 10-point lead at the top of League One.

Meanwhile, wide man Paul Anderson has scored two goals in 18 appearances for Championship strugglers Nottingham Forest this term, while Wirral-born striker Craig Lindfield has played four games for Accrington Stanley since his loan move in January.

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Keirrison's Reds Link Played Down (http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11669_4952308,00.html)
"I don't want to spend a lot of time talking about this Liverpool issue as it is not true," Cecilio said.

"There is nothing official and we were not consulted about this.

"We have an excellent relationship with Liverpool, who signed goalkeeper Diego Cavalieri, and, if there was something, we will be the first to know about that.

"Instead, the intention of the Palmeiras board is to keep him here as long as possible here, before he continues his career in Europe."

Young Reds Seek Crewe Boost (http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/news/drilldown/N163311090220-0845.htm)
We had a poor result at the weekend when the under-18s slumped to a disappointing 4-0 defeat at West Brom.

We actually started the match quite well, but as the game progressed they began to get on top and in the end they ran out worthy winners.

West Brom are a very good team. People tend to make comparisons between the Academy and the first-team and think that we should win easily simply because it is Liverpool against a side who have struggled in the Barclays Premier League.

It's not the case. They played some good football and have some impressive players. Okay, we made changes to our side to give some of the other players in the squad some minutes on the pitch, but at the end of the day we have to hold our hands up and admit we didn't deserve anything from the game.

The frustration of that match aside, it's been a very busy and fun-filled week here at the Academy. It's half-term, so the place has been buzzing with coaching sessions and tournaments.

The under nines, 10s and 11s have all played in what we like to call 'festivals'.

This is where our team plus three others meet and play each other in a round-robin competition. We don't count it in terms of who wins or handing out a cup, but it gives the boys good experience of a tournament and the atmosphere involved.

Our teams played three games, each of a 15 minute duration, and this provided them with a nice break from their normal routine.

As for the older age groups, we've seen some of the players head away on international duty. Chris Buchtmann returned home to play for Germany's under-18 team while Andre Wisdom and Jack Robinson both travelled with England's under-16 side - only for the match with Germany to be called off at the last minute.

It was a bit of a wasted journey for them, but at the same time it's nice to see our players getting recognition with their respective countries at international level.

Looking ahead to tomorrow, we turn attention back to the under-18s and our match at home to Crewe Alexandra. This is our last game before the Youth Cup encounter with Bolton at Anfield next Friday.

We will welcome Nathan Eccleston back into the squad after he served a one-match ban against West Brom.

Of course, he would have been slightly concerned that if we hadn't played West Brom or Crewe, he could have been ruled out the Youth Cup. Fortunately enough, that isn't the case so he could be involved tomorrow.

It means we will head into the match with Crewe with a strong squad, and we are hopeful that we can step up our level, produce a good performance and help raise morale ahead of the Youth Cup clash with the Trotters.