AcademyU21s preview: Old Trafford trip, youngsters stepping up and Harvey Blair return

Ahead of Friday’s trip to face Manchester United at Old Trafford in Premier League 2, the U21s head coach is looking forward to an exciting end to the campaign for his side.

With three games remaining in the league, the season then continues with a series of knockout play-off matches to determine the overall Premier League 2 champion.

After numerous prospects moved up to Jürgen Klopp’s senior squad in recent months, Lewtas has had to field several youngsters from the U18s, who have received beneficial experience of football at a higher level as a result.

Friday’s trip to Old Trafford kicks off at 7.30pm BST and is a game you can watch live on LFCTV and LFCTV GO.

Read on as Lewtas speaks with Liverpoolfc.com about the campaign so far, players returning from injury and the meeting with United…

On last Saturday’s 1-0 loss at Blackburn Rovers and having more than 20 efforts on goal…

It was one of those days, to be fair. We didn’t start the best and they scored early. Oscar Kelly then made a couple of good saves for us but as the game went on we were very wasteful in front of goal. We created good chances against a good side who had a real strong back three. So to create the number of chances we did and not to score was really disappointing in the end. But that’s sometimes the way. I think I’d be more disappointed on reflection if I knew we weren’t creating those chances, so I’m pleased to see what we are doing in the lead-up to the opposition box. But if we want to end the season the way we want to do it then we are going to have to be more clinical.

On Friday’s test against United at Old Trafford…

To play at any first-team stadium for us is a good experience. Listen, it’s not a first-team game but they will want to beat us and we certainly want to beat them. To be able to play a game at this time of the season on a real good surface, there will be no excuses. We are really excited and looking forward to it.

On a really encouraging season for the Academy so far…

It has been across the board. Obviously getting so many players opportunities with the first team, it’s been an amazing season for that. First and foremost, it’s amazing for the players, but for us as staff as well and how motivating that is for the other players that they see a pathway. What has been the little side story for us I think is how competitive we have been during that part as well.

When you move so many players up, there are gaps created and the gaps have to be filled. The boys who have moved up to U21 level, especially the younger ones, have done ever so well. So to stay as competitive as we have while still supporting the first team the way we have is a real testament to the Academy. The boys have done themselves proud. I’m sure when the season finishes we will look back and reflect on what has been a really positive season.

On the return of Harvey Blair, who has missed a large part of the season through injury…

We’ve had a number of players unfortunately who have had stop-start seasons due to injury and little niggles here and there. It’s tough because these boys are at the stage of their career when they want to find rhythm and they want to play games. But it’s nice to get one or two back at the moment, like Harvey and Melkamu Frauendorf. Hopefully we are now able to offer them some minutes and get them back to full fitness.

They are also able to support the group as well. The lads have done ever so well as we’ve used a lot of young lads at U21 level who have done really well. So having more numbers available adds to it. Training has been really competitive and it gives us an opportunity to change the game in-game as well, which is something we haven’t been able to do a lot this season.

On an exciting end to the Premier League 2 season with three games remaining and then the play-offs to determine the champions…

The big focus for us this season was we wanted to try to create a games programme the best we can that prepares the boys for the next step. We are always looking to be in competitive games, competitive competitions and for us the target was always to try to get in that top 16 and be in with a shout at the end of the season in the play-offs with some knockout games. We are currently sixth in the table and what the play-offs does give is it means the season is not wrapped up for anyone. Hopefully these play-offs are going to be a real success because I think it gives everyone a chance to keep the season competitive.