Liverpool's youngsters take on Chelsea in the first leg of the FA Youth Cup semi-final at Anfield on Friday night - here's our guide to Steve Cooper's Academy hopefuls.

You can watch the game live on LFC TV and LFC TV Online, with our coverage starting at 7.30pm BST.

Ryan Fulton: The Scotland youth international has been a formidable barrier in the Liverpool goal during the run to the semi-finals, conceding just one goal in four games. In his first season with the U18 squad he is a commanding presence and a great communicator.

Ryan McLaughlin: The Northern Ireland youth international has had a season to remember. The right-back was included in the first-team squad that travelled to USA and made his debut marking Roma star Francesco Totti at Fenway Park. A player that loves to get forward and support the attack, he will be a key figure against Chelsea.

Joe Maguire: The left-back from Manchester has had a very consistent season. He has been sidelined with a hamstring problem but Cooper will be hoping he will be fit for the semi-final.

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Yalany Baio: The tough tackling midfielder has proved to be a great asset for Cooper this season, showing his versatility by playing at right-back and his preferred position of central midfield. A great competitor with an infectious will to win.

Lloyd Jones: The big Welsh youth international centre-back has been a tower of strength for Cooper's charges this season. Snapped up from Plymouth in the summer, he has recently been promoted to Alex Inglethorpe's U21 squad.

Dan Cleary: The Republic of Ireland youth international has struck up a good partnership with Jones in the Youth Cup team. A good reader of the game, the Dublin boy has made great strides in his first season with the U18 squad.

Niall Heaton: The Leeds-born centre-back was signed from Bradford City as an U15 player. An England international, he is a great header of the ball and a reliable player to call upon.

Jordan Rossiter: The young Scouser has made great strides this season and his performances have attracted attention from the likes of Kop idol Robbie Fowler. The central midfielder has captained the U18s this season and is still only a schoolboy.

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Jordan Lussey: The captain gave Cooper a boost by returning from injury in last weekend's draw at Tottenham Hotspur. Lussey leads by example, has a great eye for a pass and is capable of scoring spectacular goals.

Jack Dunn: Cooper is hoping the powerful forward can return from injury against Chelsea. After breaking into the U21 team and netting the winner away at Wolves, he has been sidelined in recent weeks. Dunn is an all-action player who has scored in every round of the competition so far, netting six goals in the FA Youth Cup. He will be a key figure for the Chelsea clash.

Cameron Brannagan: The young man from Manchester has had a very consistent season in the heart of the midfield. A very reliable player to call upon, Brannagan made an impressive debut for the U21s recently against Tottenham when he came off the bench at Anfield.

Alex O'Hanlon: The Republic of Ireland youth international is a very exciting player who can play on the left wing or in the middle of the park.

Daniel Trickett-Smith: The diminutive forward arrived from Crewe during the summer and has been a key performer during the Youth Cup run. He can play as a No.10 and has a great eye for a pass. Because of injuries in recent weeks, he has been playing No.9 and scored some vital goals.

Kristoffer Peterson: The Swedish winger is a powerful player who is equally effective on the right and left flanks. The boy from Gothenburg is also very good in the air and has progressed to the U21 squad this season.

Nathan Burke: The young Scouser has a great attitude and is enjoying his football again after being sidelined through injury at the start of the season. Burke has been at Liverpool since an U10 and can play in midfield and at full-back.

Nathan Quirk: Nathan is a very consistent performer and can play in a variety of positions. He can play in midfield or at full-back and never lets the side down when called upon.

Jerome Sinclair: The striker is just back from injury and his return is a big boost for Cooper. The former West Bromwich Albion youngster has had a season to remember - he became Liverpool's youngest ever player when he appeared as a substitute in the Capital One Cup tie against his old club at The Hawthorns. 


Jordon Ibe: The exciting winger was on the bench for the first team in the recent game at Southampton. The former Wycombe Wanderers player can beat defenders for fun and he netted two brilliant goals in the FA Youth Cup win over Leeds United at Anfield.

Sam Gainford: The left-winger is a real threat going forward and a useful asset for Cooper to call upon. He has been at Liverpool since the age of 10.

Seyi Ojo: The England youth international is an exciting player who can play anywhere across the front line. He is a very tricky player and a useful individual for Cooper to call from the bench if he needs a spark.

Connor Randall: He has represented England U17s and is a manager's dream as he will play anywhere for the team cause with the minimum of fuss.