My Anfield 07 July @ 07:17 AM EST
Pre-season is an exciting time for two reasons. First and foremost because the withdrawal symptoms
from the season proper start to fade away. Secondly it provides an opportunity for Reds fans to
catch a glimpse of the upcoming youth players who might get a shot at the big time.
The astonishingly talented Pacheco as well as Ayala, and San Jose are players which Rafa has
singled out as having had conversations with regarding their immediate future (their destiny is in
their own hands).
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My Anfield 29 June @ 03:22 AM EST
Big things were expected from Anderson over the years. He was an important member of the Youth Cup
success of 2006, after that he did well at reserve level, before excelling in League One. Sadly the
step up to Championship level proved he wasn't quite up to the standard required by LFC.
The talented and very pacy winger had a couple of promising loan spells with Swansea City and
Nottingham Forest which resulted in both clubs chasing his signature.
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My Anfield 21 June @ 03:21 PM EST
First we had God at LFC, now it looks like we might have Jesus also (not to imply he's the son of
Fowler). According to Sky Sports, Liverpool have beaten Real Madrid & Barcelona to the signing of
another highly talented kid.
The 16 year old attacking midfielder, is meant to be in the mould of Cesc Fabregas.
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My Anfield 13 June @ 01:08 AM EST
As several youth players got promoted yesterday from the youth academy up to Melwood and the
reserve team set up, it seems high time for some of the more established reserve team youth players
to move on.
Spearing and Darby are both nearly 21 and after a few years in the reserves, neither of them have
made a much of a break through to the first team.
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Thanks to everyone who logged in to the LiveChat last Tuesday. Great questions and comments, and
an hour-and-a-half spent discussing an already ridiculous transfer season is, for me, a Tuesday
well spent. Much more to talk about this week, but I was hoping to focus on the amount of youth
currently at United.
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My Anfield 03 June @ 03:00 PM EST
Such was the impact which Insua made last season during his first team appearances, it's hard to
think of him as a reserve player. Insua was deservedly voted the reserve player of the season (poll
on the official LFC site). But next season, we can forget all about seeing Insua in the reserves,
as he has proven he's definitely good enough for the first team.
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My Anfield 27 May @ 04:41 PM EST
This Finnish starlet has had an impressive season, and was probably our best youth player. At just
17 he became the youngest player at Melwood, then he went on to score 20 goals in all competitions
(8 in the Youth Cup).
It's not just his goal scoring feats which attract attention, but his overall awareness of what's
happening around him.
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My Anfield 26 May @ 04:02 AM EST
Arsenals youth team ran riot last week and beat our youth team 4-1 in the first leg of the FA Youth
Cup final. Tonight marks the return leg of the final at Anfield Road. It might seem almost
inconceivable that our youths can overcome that deficit, but there's a bit of symmetry at play
here.
You see back in the good old days (80s), it seemed almost inconceivable that any side could come to
Anfield and beat Liverpool 2-0.
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My Anfield 24 April @ 02:54 PM EST
Breaking into the first team on a consistent basis was always going to be difficult for Jack Hobbs
considering the quality of competition for places. But he did get to make several appearances for
LFCs first team, and also played a part in the famed Youth Cup success in 2006.
He has just had a pretty decent season on loan with Leicester City, helping them get promoted to
the Championship.
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My Anfield 05 March @ 06:43 AM EST
While Aurelio is a more than useful full back, and poor Dossena is less than useful (in the Premier
League anyway), Insua definitely has to be the future and possibly the present. The kid has got it
all pace, skill, awareness, plus he can shoot and pass very well. When Insua is on the pitch, we
tend to score more and concede less goals.
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My Anfield 20 February @ 10:34 AM EST
It's great that the international break is coming to an end, but I wonder who will get to partner
Mascherano in midfield. With Alonso suspended and Gerrard still injured, Rafa doesn't have too many
other credible options for the match against Manchester City this weekend.
The fact remains that Rafa rates Lucas very highly and there's a strong possibility that Rafa will
start him.
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My Anfield 20 February @ 10:34 AM EST
It's great that the international break is coming to an end, but I wonder who will get to partner
Mascherano in midfield. With Alonso suspended and Gerrard still injured, Rafa doesn't have too many
other credible options for the match against Manchester City this weekend.
The fact remains that Rafa rates Lucas very highly and there's a strong possibility that Rafa will
start him.
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My Anfield 10 February @ 04:33 AM EST
Well if Rafa thinks Keane wasn't good enough for Liverpool to the extent that he was willing to
ship him out so soon, then I think Voronin's offer to shore up our striking department is likely to
fall on deaf ears. In fact, I think he would have already been recalled from his loan with Hertha
Berlin, if Rafa felt he was good enough (but let's face it, he didn't exactly settle very well).
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My Anfield 10 February @ 04:33 AM EST
Well if Rafa thinks Keane wasn't good enough for Liverpool to the extent that he was willing to
ship him out so soon, then I think Voronin's offer to shore up our striking department is likely to
fall on deaf ears. In fact, I think he would have already been recalled from his loan with Hertha
Berlin, if Rafa felt he was good enough (but let's face it, he didn't exactly settle very well).
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My Anfield 05 January @ 12:24 PM EST
Over the last several games, Insua has had the chance to showcase his exciting potential (link), to
the extent that he looked like cementing his place in the first team. Unfortunately though, Insua
has decided to attend the Under-20 South American Championships with Argentina, which lasts for a
month.
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My Anfield 05 January @ 12:24 PM EST
Over the last several games, Insua has had the chance to showcase his exciting potential (link), to
the extent that he looked like cementing his place in the first team. Unfortunately though, Insua
has decided to attend the Under-20 South American Championships with Argentina, which lasts for a
month.
Click to continue reading...
My Anfield 05 January @ 12:24 PM EST
Over the last several games, Insua has had the chance to showcase his exciting potential (link), to
the extent that he looked like cementing his place in the first team. Unfortunately though, Insua
has decided to attend the Under-20 South American Championships with Argentina, which lasts for a
month.
Click to continue reading...
My Anfield 01 January @ 04:25 PM EST
With the January transfer window opening, I'm sure we were all hoping to see a high profile signing
or two take place, but for now we'll have to content ourselves with the signing of another
midfielder to strengthen our youth ranks.
Victor Plasson, who turned 18 today, is reputedly a strong midfielder who had a successful trial
with us back in October.
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My Anfield 01 January @ 04:25 PM EST
With the January transfer window opening, I'm sure we were all hoping to see a high profile signing
or two take place, but for now we'll have to content ourselves with the signing of another
midfielder to strengthen our youth ranks.
Victor Palsson, who turned 18 today, is reputedly a strong midfielder who had a successful trial
with us back in October.
Click to continue reading...
My Anfield 01 January @ 04:25 PM EST
With the January transfer window opening, I'm sure we were all hoping to see a high profile signing
or two take place, but for now we'll have to content ourselves with the signing of another
midfielder to strengthen our youth ranks.
Victor Palsson, who turned 18 today, is reputedly a strong midfielder who had a successful trial
with us back in October.
Click to continue reading...
My Anfield 27 December @ 07:28 AM EST
It has become clear that Insua has the potential to be so much more than an understudy to Aurelio.
His accomplished performances against Blackburn, Arsenal and Bolton have shown that he's well on
his way to becoming our first choice left back. At the very least his performances merit many more
games.
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My Anfield 27 December @ 07:28 AM EST
It has become clear that Insua has the potential to be so much more than an understudy to Aurelio.
His accomplished performances against Blackburn, Arsenal and Bolton have shown that he's well on
his way to becoming our first choice left back. At the very least his performances merit many more
games.
Click to continue reading...
My Anfield 27 December @ 07:28 AM EST
It has become clear that Insua has the potential to be so much more than an understudy to Aurelio.
His accomplished performances against Blackburn, Arsenal and Bolton have shown that he's well on
his way to becoming our first choice left back. At the very least his performances merit many more
games.
Click to continue reading...
My Anfield 04 December @ 05:45 AM EST
For someone so young and inexperienced, last season Lucas showed many glimpses of his talent with
excellent composure against even the bigger teams. His simple style of play involved giving the
team options through intelligent passing and movement.
Despite not really impressing so far this season, there's undoubted potential there.
Click to continue reading...
My Anfield 04 December @ 05:45 AM EST
For someone so young and inexperienced, last season Lucas showed many glimpses of his talent with
excellent composure against even the bigger teams. His simple style of play involved giving the
team options through intelligent passing and movement.
Despite not really impressing so far this season, there's undoubted potential there.
Click to continue reading...
My Anfield 04 December @ 05:45 AM EST
For someone so young and inexperienced, last season Lucas showed many glimpses of his talent with
excellent composure against even the bigger teams. His simple style of play involved giving the
team options through intelligent passing and movement.
Despite not really impressing so far this season, there's undoubted potential there.
Click to continue reading...
My Anfield 12 November @ 05:19 AM EST
The Carling Cup has long been a competition which is looked down upon by the 'big four'. Tonight is
less about revenge for last weeks surprise defeat to Spurs than it's about resting key players for
the league campaign.
What most fans do have to look forward to is seeing if any youngsters show their potential in a
competitive game.
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My Anfield 01 September @ 08:28 AM EST
Our Brazilian contingent at Anfield continues to grow with the free signing of 18 year old striker
Vitor Flora from Botafogo FC. He's a skillful, clever and left footed striker, but Youtube clip
(link) aside, I don't know much about him. With the sheer attacking quality we have at youth level,
I'm not sure where Flora is going to fit in.
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My Anfield 23 August @ 03:33 AM EST
A couple of years ago, the Reds starlet had many of us dreaming we'd found the next home grown
talent capable of breaking through to the first team. Playing alongside his hero (Fowler), he
scored on his Liverpool debut at just 17 years of age.
Last season he had 2 loan spells and scored a stunning volley on his debut for Notts County, sadly
both loan spells were cut short because the clubs couldn't afford his wages.
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Instant millionaires After hearing about the massive £4.5million pay-out former Manchester
United starlet Ben Collett received following a career-ending tackle on his reserve-team debut at
Middlesbrough in 2003, it hit home just how ridiculous the money involved in football has become.
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My Anfield 05 August @ 05:00 AM EST
I'm not sure what all the recent fuss was over Leto having his work permit turned down. He may have
looked good playing for the reserves but was terrible whenever he played for the first team last
season. With regards to our up and coming youth talent, he doesn't stand out in the way that the
likes of Insua, Pacheco and Nemeth do.
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My Anfield 25 July @ 03:31 PM EST
There's no question about it, in central defence we're blessed with truly world class players.
Agger & Skrtel, could potentially go on to produce the greatest partnership LFC has ever had in
central defence (I remember Hansen & Lawrenson well). Also with Carragher & Hyypia providing some
excellent cover it doesn't leave any room for any aspiring young players (at least not this year).
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My Anfield 24 July @ 05:55 AM EST
....but not the one we were all hoping for. There's quite a few surprising things about the signing
of David Ngog, we're getting him for a mere £1.5m, he's French (and Wenger wasn't chasing
him), and at just 19 years of age he's walking into the first team squad (LINK).
He's got a pretty cool reputation at international youth level for being extremely fast and a
natural goalscorer, definitely highly desired traits in a striker.
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My Anfield 23 July @ 05:00 AM EST
Surprise, surprise, we've signed yet another Spanish Starlet on a free (from Murcia Deportivo).
It's interesting that the official Liverpool site describes Emmanuel Mendy as being 'petit'
(LINK).
WTF ? How often do you hear footballers being described as 'petit' (Arsenal might beg to differ) ?
Still at least they also describe him as being 'powerful' which is considerably more reassuring,
although at 18 years of age, it's not like he's got much 'growing' left to do.
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My Anfield 10 July @ 02:00 PM EST
I was curious enough about our latest unknown youth signing (Vincent Lucas Weijl) to do a little
research and was disappointed to find he was only the 40th top scorer (LINK) in the Nike A-junior
Eredivisie last season.
As far as I'm aware, strikers who go on to really make it as pros are usually very prolific at
youth level, so this doesn't bode too well.
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