Liverpool Rumours Archive November 21 2013

21 Nov 2013 18:37:03
Eds what do make of Rodgers distancing us from Hughes is this the truth or is he just keeping it under wraps?
Thanks {Ed001's Note - as far as I am aware no deal is done, so he is just pointing that out.}

21 Nov 2013 20:57:06
My team v Everton 4-3-1-2
Mignolet
Kelly
Agger
Sakho
Johnson
Gerrard
Henderson
Lucas
Coutinho
Suarez
Sturridge
Subs
Jones
Toure
Skrtel
Allen
Moses
Alberto
Ibe

21 Nov 2013 09:55:25
Ed, 001 just read on the echo that Liverpool have sacked academy director Mcparland & head coach Rodolfo Borrell . Must say this was a massive surprise especially since last year as many as 7-8 academy players have broken into the first team squad.
Any updates that u can provide why this action was taken & who the potential replacements will be? {Ed001's Note - Brendan wants his own men, ones that see the things the way he does, in place. This has been coming a while, though I am still not sure it is the right thing to do, the academy seemed to be doing well. Inglethorpe wasn't brought in to do things their way though, but to follow Rodgers' blueprint. Only time will tell whether it was the right thing to do, though right now it does seem to be a mistake.}

Ed001, Would you be able to explain in some way what Brendan's way is, I would of thought recruiting young talent and getting them to the first team squad would be a successful Academy? {Ed001's Note - yes but the type of players being produced was different from those he wanted. Also, how many of those young talents breaking through have actually been formed by our academy rather than bought from someone else's? It is all very well saying Sterling gets regular first team football (well fairly regular), but was it our academy that moulded him into the player he is?}

Apparently they were negotiating terms with Man City and when this was discovered they were sacked for gross misconduct. Quick Question for the eds, is it not true that the academy was meant to be seen as a separate entity to the management of first team affairs to prevent this type of upheaval every time a new manager is appointed? {Ed001's Note - they were at loggerheads anyway, it was only a matter of time before they were moved on. You are right, it is separate, which is why they were still here in the first place. Brendan would have preferred his own men in place from the start, as he is looking at a long term vision for the club. As for City, there has been on off talks between them and Borrell etc since the Sheikh took over. That is why it seems like nothing more than an excuse to me, a way of saying we chose to get rid, rather than them getting a better offer.}

I suppose the ramifications of this decision (good or bad) won't be seen for another 5 years though so difficult to know whether or not this is a good decision. I thought our academy and youth structure was in a much better position (in no small part to Rafa) but as Ed says how much talent has it actually produced? Sterling came from QPR, Ibe was brought in (from notts Co. perhaps? canny remember) and apart from that no one has really made the step up at all. We have potentially good players there at the moment but who can say whether or not they'll make it? At least with Rogers taking control the 'tika taka' mindset will be blooded from an early age - technically that has to be a good thing.

Hi Ed001.

I remember you saying a year or so ago that the fruits of our academy will take a while to come through and that our U15s and younger look very promising.

Has this changed?

Thanks,

Ash {Ed001's Note - it is not that it has changed, it is that the academy seems to have struggled to get those younger talents to take themselves up a level. They stand out a mile at the younger levels, then they seem to still be playing at that level when they are older. In some cases, such as Dunn, that is down to injury issues and so no fault can be attached to the academy. There are others though that simply haven't made the strides forward they should have. The talent we have is phenomenal, probably the best of my lifetime, but they just don't seem to be making the grade. Jack Robinson is a particular example, just two years ago he looked like a top class future England left back in the making, now he is looking like a decent Championship level full back. What happened? He should be standing out for Blackpool, not being merely good for them.}

I Think it is a really bad idea They were doing well

It will prove to be a massive mistake if Brendan does not succeed and he is replaced.
Do we then get rid of the new academy and u21 coaches and bring in someone else who suits the new managers philosophy?
One thing we have learnt over the last decade is that we need continuity rather than constant upheaval. {Ed001's Note - hopefully there will still be some continuity, Inglethorpe has had time to settle in and the rest of the staff are still there, for now at least. Only time will tell if this is the right decision, though I can see the thinking behind it, I am not sure such drastic steps were required.}

Hi edd is it man city tapping up mcpharland and borrel that they parted company? to me getting rid is effing dumb, let's be honest one of the main reasons we don't trust younger players in our team is because rodgers neck is on the line to get a top 4 place, were like teams like southampton can stick with luke shaw as a upcoming left back who is going to be a top player and we let jack robinson rot away, its all fine and dandy rodgers getting the plaudits last season for letting the kids have a go in the first team but our season was over in march, a pretty strange time to get rid just before a derby I am effing baffled. {Ed002's Note - There is no tapping up.}

21 Nov 2013 15:59:55
Hi Eds

What exactly is Brendan Rodgers blueprint for the Academy?

Thanks {Ed001's Note - you would have to ask him for his exact blueprint. As I understand it though, he is looking for players that would be able to slot into his team, playing his way, capable of being comfortable performing different roles. Similar to how Sterling is being asked to do more than he ever was in the past, no longer just allowed to run free down the wing every game. Now he is learning to play as a full back, to try and improve his team play, rather than just his individual skills. My understanding is that he is looking for more of a old school Ajax total football approach, to a Barca one. Instead of creating players to just play at keeping the ball, he wants them to be strong in all aspects of the game. To know when to press and when to drop off, to know when to cover a team mate who has been caught upfield etc. It is probably more suited to English football, to producing players who will have long term futures in the English league, than the Barca approach. It should produce more rounded players, who are capable of responding to the manager/coach's instructions on the field of play and being tactically flexible.}

Ed001, just a quick thanks for the info. It's good to hear some facts about these things. Hopefully it will all pan out well in the end and I like the sound of his rough-cut blueprint. There is no point the academy producing players that don't suit the first team's style of play. Thanks again {Ed001's Note - no worries mate, I just hope that we are not pulling the rug out from under all that has been built.}

Not really sure what to think about this. As Ed001 has explained, players aren't taking themselves to the next level and looking at it without rose tinted glasses, it does seem to have gone a bit stale. But Rodolfo is still incredibly highly rated in Barcelona, which does make you wonder.

I can't remember who, Guardiola I think. He was asked who matched Barca's academy throughout Europe. He said only Bayern and Liverpool have academies to rival Barca. This was all done under a significant investment during Rafas time. I think we even paid compensation to secure Rodolfo. I really hope this is the right move, but
I fear not.

I think Wisdom and Kelly will eventually shine. Is there any reason we're not playing kelly? He seemed brilliant under KK I'm guessing the longterm injury didn't help.but why are we not playing him now after getting him to sign another 4 year contract?
I also think we f*cked up when Hodgeson gave kacaniklic away for Konchesky(we truly got caught with out pants down there!!)

Im probably alone in thinking this is a positive move in the long term.
The academy has really struggled to develop players, especially develop Liverpool based young players. Its great having guys like Sterling that have been poached from elsewhere, but if you compare the Liverpool born kids with say Everton, they seem to do a better job of identifying the local talent (although that's a bigger issue than just two men).
I can see why Brendan would want more control. Its not just about getting the academy playing 4-3-3 or whaver formation the 1st team are playing, but also developing players who are flexible within that system.
Faith in brendan. :D