24 Jul 2016 09:55:28
Dear Liverpool fans

This is not PeeWee league Baseball.
You do not just give the youngsters a chance. You not say "oh so and so can play there so no need to get in a proven player".

Players get game time for their ability!

I will get slated because a lot feel youth should play. But I feel youth should get a chance only when they are as good or better than the player they will replace.
So many will say how will we know they are good enough if they don't get game time?
The same way we knew Fowler was good enough, the same way we knew Gerrard was good enough, the same way we knew Owen and Sterrling was good enough.
If a player does not stand out in the youth sides, does not show exeptional tallent there, then chances are they may not be that good! There are your exceptions to this, like your Vardys. But that's where selling some of the youth comes in. Like selling Ibe. He may well end up being world class. But let's face it, he would probably have a better chance of doing so when he's not on a field, in the shadows of Coutinho, Firmino, etc. He will now get a chance to shine.

1.) 24 Jul 2016
24 Jul 2016 10:52:34
I've lost your point Andy? I mean what prompted those comments? Who has been saying give youth a chance when they are not good enough or proven in the shadow teams? I personally doubt Ibe will be world class, Sterling definitely is not and I am a little taken aback that you mention the latter in the same sentence/ breath as those others.

2.) 24 Jul 2016
24 Jul 2016 11:06:27
Yep i agree andy, let's just shut down the academies today, no need to develop youth players because we can just buy players that other academies have developed and given chances to. All those proven players out there magically appeared as proven players and were never given the chance to play or develop.

Your logic is flawed and short sighted my friend and i suspect you will have a lot of lemmings agreeing with you too.

3.) 24 Jul 2016
24 Jul 2016 11:06:50
The problem is that it is quite often very difficult to judge if a young player is going to make it when they step up to the first team. There are some exceptional talents at youth level you are right, that are always going to make it, but they are few and far between. There are others that impress at youth level, but fail to make the step up, (Morgan for instance), and there are others that do not particularly shine, but seamlessly make the transition to senior level when given the chance, for instance Kane. I know Ed001 in particular has talked about this in the past, and there are many different factors that dictate how likely it is other than just apparent talent in a youth team set up and environment, mentality, physical development, attitude, etc. etc.
My point is, you just don’t know until they are given the opportunity. That is not to say they should be chucked into the first team on a permanent basis as a direct replacement for a senior player, but should be utilised more, as cover, rather than constantly buying established pro’s, otherwise why bother with a youth academy at all? One thing Sir Alex was in my opinion fantastic at generally, was gradually introducing youth prospects into the first team, some made it, some didn’t and were moved on, but they were given the chance. That also allowed them to make more significant additions to the team every season rather than 8-10 “lesser” signings every window to pad out the squad. Some will make it some won’t, but we won’t know until they are given more of a chance.

4.) 24 Jul 2016
24 Jul 2016 11:45:47
Sorry mate but that's a load of balls. You only ever find out how good players are when you give them a chance at top level football, none can be judged purely on academy performances.

5.) 24 Jul 2016
24 Jul 2016 12:03:48
I didn't say scrap the accademies!
But from looking at how things are going this transfer window, I feel this is the way to now do business.
Our promising youth players who we see fit to make the next step up, but are risky to try at the club, will be sold to middle or lower clubs (and I say this with no disrespect to those clubs, and not living in the past thinking we are bigger) .
A few we feel will step up to our 1st team squad stay. And if they don't make it this season, we sell them next season. This way, they get a chance at 1st team football. And a chance to develop at a good rate.
Some may improve so much that we end up buying back. Some may move on to bigger clubs.
We all feel that eventually, we will just buy 2-3 players per transfer window, so then how many youth players do you think would get the chance to step up? Not many!
With respect to lower clubs, they do have the "space" for youth players, they do have the opportunity to play them, without being critised after a loss.

6.) 24 Jul 2016
24 Jul 2016 12:50:02
I think what he is saying is, it would've risky to go into a full season with only unproven youth as back up. Sure blood them gradually, but it could prove to be an expensive mistake to do any more. If we use for eg, Randall as our only cover at rb (presuming we had no more players as recognised for that position) then clyne breaks his leg after the window shuts, Klopp would be called naive for not buying better cover. Although given the proper methods to grow, he could eventually shine, just maybe not by being thrown in at the deep end? Either way, the staff at the club no far more than any of us so why not just trust their judgement.

7.) 24 Jul 2016
24 Jul 2016 13:14:20
I agree with Andy tbh. I'm not saying GW is going to be a fill the gap player. But if we did get injuries which is very likely because of the high intense football klopp wants us to play I would much rather see GW step in to player rather than have a relatively unproven young player in there. If the young players are good enough they will survive at the club and they will get their chances to in cup matches or games against lesser premier league teams. not fillings he gaps due to injuries or suspensions against teams we could possibly challenging for places. Although we have no Europe we still have 2 other cup competions to challenge in and bringing experienced players to build a squad IMO is just a key as bringing youth through.

8.) 24 Jul 2016
24 Jul 2016 13:26:38
If the youngsters are not good enough, sell the lot and start again. If they show promise and potential and ability, give them a run of cup games and sub appearances to try and impress. I don't think it is any more complicated than that.

9.) 24 Jul 2016
24 Jul 2016 13:56:17
can anyone give me a number how many young lads played for liverpool since klopp took over I think maybe 6 has played over 4 or 5 games so I don't know where constant argument about the youth is coming from have any off you who are constantly rattling on about the up and coming players stopped to think that klopp has been here 10 months now he's seen everyone train or play matches and might be thinking that there not good enough for first team football plus he's also inherited a 1st team squad that he thinks 6 or 7 of them will never fit his style of play so maybe he is adressing the first team before he gets to the youth set up correct me if I'm wrong he has already replaced the head of the academy and he's signed a 6 year contract so we may not start to see young lads make the step up for another two or three years.