AcademyU18s preview: 'Facing Man Utd is a game we always look forward to'

The U18s manager believes in the potential of his team, feeling the fighting spirit and desire they have shown in their last two games are qualities that will be needed going forward.

After a disappointing opening-day loss at Derby County, Bridge-Wilkinson's side were then edged out 3-2 by Middlesbrough before losing 5-3 to Arsenal in the U18 Premier League Cup in Kirkby.

The young Reds were 3-0 down against the Gunners on Wednesday but fought back to 3-2 and 4-3 prior to Jack Wilshere's visitors sealing the win late on.

Saturday's league clash at United kicks off at 11am BST and can be watched live on LFCTV and LFCTV GO from 10.55am.

Ahead of the visit to Carrington, read on as Bridge-Wilkinson tells Liverpoolfc.com why hard work and togetherness is the key to unlocking the potential of his squad…

On his thoughts after a dramatic game with Arsenal…

It was frustrating. Arsenal are a good side obviously and deserved to win the game. I thought there were some really nice bits from us, and some really immature and naive parts to our game as well, which unfortunately we are getting punished for at the moment. There's still lots to do and lots of work on the training ground.

On fine lines in football, with missed opportunities proving costly…

I thought we started really well and we looked quite threatening when we had enough of the ball to warrant the amount of chances that we had. Unfortunately they scored first and the game started to change a little bit. We lost a bit of confidence and then we were 3-0 down. It was great that we found a way back into the game but I said to the lads we don't want to be in a situation where we are 3-0 down. We've got to be in a position where we can score the first goal.

On the positive spirit in the group and almost finding an equaliser…

That was pleasing and it was pleasing to see that it mattered at the end because the lads were disappointed to lose. Losing games is not nice and it's not what we are here for. Ultimately, if you are going to have a career in the game, football is about winning games, not losing. So, you've got to find a way to turn the tide and it was nice to see that there was a little bit of character there and personality, a bit of fight and we need more of it.

On a new group of first-year scholars learning quickly at a higher level…

We can't live off what other players have done or other groups have done previously. What we have to do is judge this group on its own merits and players within it the same. We have to judge them against the level that we know they are capable of and the potential that they have. We hold them to that and we have to lift that level with the potential to go even further, and we do that on a day-to-day basis. The boys are learning the hard way at the minute and we are conceding lots of goals and not scoring enough – although against Arsenal we got three, which was really good. But we are conceding too many goals at the start of the season, so we have to find a way to stop conceding.

On Saturday's game against rivals Man United…

It's a game we always look forward to. It's a fantastic week of football for us, facing United after Arsenal, and it's a great challenge for these players. It's everything that these boys are trying to be – playing for Liverpool in big games like these and trying to win them.

On a brilliant week for U18s graduate Lewis Koumas, who scored twice and provided an assist for loan club Stoke City…

It's fantastic. When any of these boys get an opportunity – whether it's with the first team or in Lewis' case on loan, scoring goals and creating chances is what he does – it's fantastic to see. We are all really proud of him, as we are with all of them, and long may it continue.