01 Sep 2016 14:51:28
Hello ed's I was wondering if you could give me your opinion on the whole debate surrounding U23's, Reserves, U21's etc.

As someone in there early 20's I don't have much insight into the days before the BPL but the whole system with U23's and First Team really baffles me. It seems as though the whole system regresses year on year. In my mind the best way for a reserve team to work would be to get all of your best players up until 21, 22 to play together in a reserve team.

Loans seem to have come in as a solution to providing young players with a competitive football experience but especially in Liverpool's case there doesn't seem to be much co-ordination or long term planning in place for players futures.

In my opinion regardless if Luis Alberto or Markovic are seen as good enough, if we had all our bright talents playing together in a second team, learning game then letting them play the odd first team game it would work better. I've spoken to a lot of older fans and they tell me of the days it was normal for a player, regardless of the fee to play a season in the reserves before joining up with the first team.

When did it become a thing of shame to be played in the reserves, or a place simply used for first team fitness? I've watched our under 23's train a few times this season and it should be called the U16's! Any half decent player is shipped of to another league 1, championship or league two club. Surely them all playing and developing together would be much more beneficial. I am no expert at all so please feel free to correct me where I'm wrong.

Thanks!

{Ed002's Note - If the U23 league takes off there will be less need to loan players. But there is a massive financial overhead to keeping the likes of Markovic at the club - hence his loan.}

1.) 01 Sep 2016
01 Sep 2016 15:09:31
Thank you for the quick reply. I understand the financial overhead is huge, he was potentially a bad example but I can't help but feel that there has been a change in the culture of clubs that view (regardless of the name) the U23's as a step down to play in. The class of 90 grew up playing together through the united ranks, not all being loaned out constantly. I just feel as though if the club stated we'd keep all our most promising players and let them grow together, develop not only as players but a love for the club. If these lads are getting shipped up and down the country they seem to lose that hunger, something the local lads like flanagan have because they understand the importance of the badge. Even cara, once a blue became a red because of his attachment to the club. What needs to happen in order to ensure the U23 league takes off?

{Ed002's Note - The U23 league needs people attending games, players to stick at it, television coverage and all clubs to take part in order to survive.}

2.) 01 Sep 2016
01 Sep 2016 16:55:15
Eds would a system similar to the Spanish and I think some German teams with a second team playing in lower leagues not be beneficial and curb the amount of loans a bit? I can't say I know the ins and outs of the system, and I know not too many team could do it, but what's your thoughts?

{Ed041's Note - I don't think so. My idea is one I think could work but I won't clog up the page with it lol.