Beale: Academy lads growing up fast
Michael Beale has revealed his delight at the way in which the young players in Liverpool's U21s squad are developing this season after making the step up from U18 level.
The young Reds host Tottenham Hotspur at Langtree Park in St Helens on Friday night at 7pm GMT, where they will aim for a return to winning ways following successive defeats at the hands of Southampton and Fulham.
Despite the narrow 3-2 loss to the Cottagers at Motspur Park on Sunday - a game his side did not deserve to lose - Beale insists his charges are making good progress.
"Fulham were a much older side than us, but looking back at the game we missed some unbelievable chances and overall it was a very positive performance," the U21s boss told Liverpoolfc.com.
"There were so many pleasing things for us as coaches. Dan Cleary was excellent on his first start at U21 level and our captain, Lloyd Jones, was back to his best.
"I was so pleased to see Daniel Trickett-Smith score his first goal at this level. The 17-year-olds in our side, like Ryan Kent and Harry Wilson, were excellent and Jerome Sinclair got his first goal at this level.
"We have three fantastic games for the Academy to look forward to over the coming days. Besides our game with Tottenham, the U18s host Everton on Saturday and then the U19 squad travel to Spain with the first team to play Real Madrid next Tuesday.
"Most of the U21 squad at the moment are eligible to play in all three of those games, so it just gives you an idea of how young we are at this moment in time.
"We might not be winning games at the moment, but there's a lot of individual winning going on in terms of performances - such as when I see Joe Maguire putting in the displays he is at left-back."
In another major boost for Beale, the manager will shortly be able to call upon the services of Jack Dunn, who has missed the entire season so far through injury.
Dunn last kicked a ball for the Reds when he netted on his first run-out for the senior side in the end-of-season friendly at Shamrock Rovers - and last season's top scorer at U21 level is hoping to get back to action as quickly as possible.
"It's lovely for us to get Jack back in training again and that adds to our competition for places in the team," said Beale.
"We have missed him and he brings a lot to the team. He has been unfortunate with the injury but hopefully he can get a good run of games going again because he has worked hard to get back."
Last season at Langtree Park, the U21s thrashed Tottenham 5-0 in a scintillating display of attacking football, but Beale admits he's expecting a much tighter encounter when Spurs return to face the Reds on Friday.
Former Aston Villa centre-half Ugo Ehiogu is in charge of the Tottenham side and they are in a good run of form going into this game.
"Tottenham have a very good Academy and they play with freedom," said Beale. "They are very similar to us in style and I think they will be close to us in terms of age on Friday as well.
"They are a similar club to us in promoting their players early to train with the first team and getting young players out on loan for experience.
"They had a fantastic result on Monday night when they beat Chelsea 1-0 so they will come here highly confident, but they will face a highly competitive Liverpool team, that's for sure."