AcademyU21s preview: Chelsea test, Quansah loan, Porto draw and Stewart fitness
Liverpool U21s head coach Barry Lewtas is relishing Sunday’s Premier League 2 encounter with Chelsea in Kirkby and believes it will be another great examination for his young players.
A number of injuries to key performers, plus loan opportunities, has given chances for others to make their mark – such as left-back Calum Scanlon, who turned 18 earlier this week and made his debut at U21 level at Manchester City last weekend.
Despite suffering a 3-1 loss at City, Lewtas insists he saw more than enough positives to be encouraged by ahead of Chelsea’s visit to the Academy (kick-off 2pm GMT).
The London side are currently in second place in the division, with the Reds sitting in fifth spot.
Read on as Lewtas reflects on the City contest, provides a fitness update and looks ahead to the Chelsea game…
On the defeat at City…
It was a good game, two good teams and we had some good moments. I thought the first half was evenly matched. Obviously they got two goals and we only got the one, but we certainly created enough good chances to score more. In the second half, in fairness to them, they really came at us in the first 20 minutes and made it more difficult for us to build our play. But I felt we weathered that storm and I was disappointed with the way we conceded the third goal. We know there are certain aspects of our game we need to improve on and we are working hard in order to try to do that.
On a first appearance at U21 level for left-back Scanlon…
Calum was brilliant. An opportunity came for him and he has missed a lot of football this season with an injury, which has been a shame for him and I also think a real shame for the U18s as well. I thought Calum equipped himself ever so well against a team who attack down the sides with pace. I thought he dealt with it well and he also got forward. He can be really pleased with his first game for us.
On Jarell Quansah getting some nice reviews so far on his loan with Bristol Rovers in League One…
He is doing well. I spoke to Jarell this week. I have watched all of his games, apart from the Ipswich game, live. I think Jarell has acquitted himself really well actually. From our point of view, we have been really pleased with certain parts of his game and how he has gone in there straight from the off. He has carried on the good form he was having with us. He was certainly ready for a loan and he was ready to go in somewhere and start. I’m really pleased he has gone in there and been given this opportunity. In my opinion, he has done well and the important thing for him now is to try to stay in the team and try to contribute. It was a fantastic point for Bristol Rovers against Ipswich Town and I’m sure they will build on that.
On summer acquisition Oludare Olufunwa getting regular game time at centre-back with Quansah going out on loan…
Dare has done well. You know how we operate and when the time is right to give boys an opportunity for a loan, we will do that. Jarell was a really good performer for us in the first half of the season and I think we always had eyes that he would have an opportunity for a loan. Dare has come in and we’ve had to tinker a little bit, with Lee Jonas playing at right-back for us and done ever so well there.
Highlights: Manchester City 3-1 Liverpool U21s
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On Layton Stewart’s fitness after a minor setback before Christmas…
Layton has been back running and on Friday we were hoping he could join in some light training. It will be great to have him back with the group because we have missed him. To be fair, the injuries have also been a bit of shame for us as well. We lost Isaac Mabaya, who has been out for a while now, Layton, James Norris, Tom Hill. I want to pay tribute to the lads who have carried the can for us and the amount of games they have played has been unbelievable. They have been brilliant, they really have, and I can’t knock them.
On Sunday’s home meeting with Chelsea…
It will be a really good game. They are playing well at the top end of the table and their results have been really good. They've got young players in their team, so we know we are in for a real challenge – but we also know what we are capable of as well. We go into every game with the outlook of trying to win, trying to impose our style and our character onto them, and then let’s see where the game goes.
On the U19s’ UEFA Youth League last-16 draw against FC Porto…
It’s a home game, an exciting tie and one we are really looking forward to. I think whoever you draw it’s going to be a tough game, and I’ve been around enough of these draws over the years to know that. Whoever comes through the group or via the domestic path is going to be a good team. We have definitely been drawn against a team who certainly has a history in this competition and has a reputation for producing good players, so we know how tough it will be. With a few players going out on loan, it may be a different look for us team-wise in certain positions but I’m really excited by that – because it gives a few other players an opportunity. So, a good draw and I think this will be a really competitive game and we will certainly be ready for it.
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