This time last season, the likes of Martin Kelly, Jack Robinson and young Jon Flanagan were making names for themselves with assured displays at the back. This season, however, has seen less playing time for the young reds.
Our Best Prospects
Liverpool FC have a squad full of talented youngsters. A young team capable of taking on the world. So here are whom I think are the best prospects from the Liverpool FC academy/reserves list.
The talents of the likes of Martin Kelly, Jonjo Shelvey, Jon Flanagan and Jack Robinson are already well documented, so here are the diamonds in the rough in the Liverpool FC academy.
Raheem Sterling has got to be one of the players with the biggest potential in the Liverpool FC academy. Undoubtedly talented and looks almost certain to make his mark over the next two seasons for the Reds. A pacy winger with a bag full of tricks, the young Englishman has the ‘skills to pay the bills’, although one would wonder whether he has the required physical presence to play in the league. Off the pitch, he has recently had some problems, having impregnated two girls in 3 weeks. If he steers clear of trouble off the pitch, I look forward to seeing him in action in about 2 years’ time.
Adam Morgan is another great talent. A fine finisher, as the scouts and the coaches say. Perhaps not the quickest, but has a rocket of a shot with his left foot and he bullies defenders with his awareness and aerial ability. Morgan scored in 13 consecutive games for Liverpool’s Academy and reserve teams in the 2010/11 season, including his debut for the reserves, grabbing a goal against Bolton and one in the U18s in the U18 Liverpool FC team’s 6-0 triumph over Manchester United.
Another striker whom is yet to make his mark is young Spanish striker Suso. Plays more as a ‘False Number 10? for the Liverpool FC reserves and academy sides. A player whom can also play the attacking midfielder role with his remarkable ability on the ball along with his exquisite ability to pick out a pass. Full of flair when out on the ballpark and will look to try and break into the first team in the coming years.
Will they break Through?
Now begs the question. Will they break into the first team? One thing I would like to say is that we shouldn’t overhype and over-expect from these players. The fact is, that the transition between reserve football and first team football is big. The game is different, more fluid and physical. One example I would like to show is in Dani Pacheco. There was so much expectation. He had been hyped up to be this ‘New Fernando Torres’. But the reality is, that these days he can’t even make the bench at a mid-table Spanish team.
I personally think that this is not the year that the likes of Sterling, Morgan and Suso are ready to break through. They are still at a very tender age, and they must not be rushed into the first team. They should be eased into there. I reckon 3 years and that will be their breakthrough seasons. 4 years and they might be fighting for that regular first XI spot with the likes of Uruguayan striker Luis Suarez and lanky English striker Andy Carroll.
What do you guys think? Are our academy graduates ready to break through?
