Liverpool's Kids Make it A Night to Remember
Last night was one of those nights that will remain in the
memory of Liverpool Supporters for many years. Our under 18's team were playing
Southend United in the FA Youth Cup and it was being staged at Anfield. This of course meant that both teams would
experience the aura of appearing in a major stadium. Would this heed or damage the players nerves
I wondered - ninety minutes later the emphatic answer was NO.
To give you an insight into our Youth team. The Academy in Kirkby was set up in 1998 as
learning centre for young Liverpudlians who wished to enhance their footballing
skills. One of it's first coaches was
ex-Liverpool player Steve Heighway (my hero-but that is another story). He was one of the people instrumential into
introducing us to the wonderful football from Robbie Fowler, Jamie Carragher
and Stevie G.
Unfortunately as sometimes happens, suddenly the youth
coming through the ranks seemed to come to a standstill and it was not until
the reign of Rafa Benitez began at Anfield that things began to change. Rafa
who in all honesty was a bit of a control freak decided that he needed to be
more involved in the Academy and some major chances were made. Steve Heighway was replaced by Rodolfo
Borrell, who brought in some of his own staff. The catchment area for the young
stars of the future was also widened and the club began to look throughout this
country and overseas.
This major change has over the last few years begun to show
dividends and last night's game was testament to Rafa's belief that Youth is
the way forward.
The game last night was given the same trimmings as though
it was a senior premier league game, Geroge Sephton played his awful noisy
music and did all the announcing. The
only thing that by the end of the game seemed wrong was that it was not a
sellout crowd.
There was one special man in the audience though and that
was Kenny Dalglish, who when interviewed about it being Valentine's Day said
that Marina had, had her valentines presents the day before and could not come
to the game because he could not get her a ticket. He was also accompanied by Damien Comolli and
Jay Spearing. Kenny of course knew all
the team from his eighteen months at the academy and having given squad numbers
to three of them, was keeping an eye on their progress.
Both teams came out onto the pitch to You'll Never Walk
Alone as is the norm at Anfield. This I
suspect gave the Liverpool team just that extra bit of confidence.
The game started though with both teams showing that they
were going to give all they had. It was Southend that had the first chance of a
goal. Young James Stevens scuffed the
ball as it headed goal wards which led to Sama clearing it from the line. Having been let off at this point, Liverpool
suddenly became alive with the appearance of young Raheem Sterling.
Raheem, who appears to be afraid of no one, had a wonderful
run, picked up the ball and as the clock struck 18 minutes netted his first
goal. His second came just 3 minutes
later after making some fantastic moves past the Southend United defenders.
The Third goal came from a penalty after Morgan was brought
down in the area. The Liverpool Captain,
Conor Coady hit the back of the net. By
now Southend although playing well, were beginning to show signs of nerves and
it was not long before Raheem sent goal number three and his hat trick into the
back of the net.
A lot of teams by now would have settled on their laurels
but not Liverpool's under 18's who continued to press and goal number four came
from Sama after picking up a corner from Krisztian Adorjan hit the back of the
net. With a few moments till half time,
Morgan this time picked up a free kick from Adorjan and number 5 netted.
It was now half time and I know I was not the only one, who
quickly told people to stop what they were doing, and switch on LFC TV - the
future of Liverpool FC was on the pitch and it was looking extremely good.
Both teams come out for the second half and with Southend
having made two changes at half time, they certainly gave the impression that
they were not going to give up that easily. But as these things go and when you
an amazing kid on the pitch it was never going to happen. Seven minutes into the half Raheem again
burst past several defenders and with sheer skill hit his fourth and Liverpool's
sixth goal into the back of the net.
Play continued with Liverpool deciding to make two
changes. The players brought on were
Jason Banton and Joshua Sumner. With the
team still refusing to give up and slow down, these two players combined together
to make some really good moves, on of which culminated in Sumner hitting the
bar. Raheem though was still not going
to give up and his 5th goal came five
minutes before the end. Eight nil would
have been more than enough for some teams but young Silva had other ideas -
Number nine was netted as the clock hit 90 minutes.
What I will say is, although the lads from Southend lost,
they played extremely well and deserve a lot of credit for doing that and not
folding as easily as a lot of senior teams would have done.
Now Raheem wears short number 7 for the Under 18's - I will
leave you to make your own decisions about that one.
One thing I will say though is, if as expected these lads
particularly Raheem, who is just 16 progresses to the first team, then our
trophy cabinet will have to be made bigger. It was really was not only a
fantastic game to watch but an eye opener also.
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