22 Jun 2021 14:20:25
I'm sure I'm not the only one who goes through cycles of getting excited by the next hot prospect from our academy. And by our academy I mean generally players who have either been with us since day dot, or have joined in their mid-teens into the academy structure.

I was overjoyed by Raheem's impact a few seasons ago, and more recently by Trent. Joe also, albeit he came in a bit later at 18/ 19 from Charlton IIRC.

Also disappointed by Neil Mellor, who promised so much, and Jon Flanagan too.

However, just looking at our U18 and U23 teams now am I wrong in thinking that Balagazi (AM), Gordon (RW) and Musialowksi (LW) could indeed form the basis of our attack in a few season time? Maybe with Harvey Elliot converted to the Firminho position. Add in Jones in the Hendo role and (potentially) Trent at the base and we could have our forward 6 positions set here.

Are Balagazi, Gordon and Musialowski THAT good for their age group, or are the rose tinted specs in full operation here again?!

Would especially appreciate the views of anyone who has seen them live, as well as the Eds.

{Ed001's Note - I am so sorry I did actually answer this earlier, but I must have forgotten to choose a checkbox to post it up, divvy!

The three are good enough to make it, but they have to get a chance before you actually find out if they will. Until then you don't know for sure which of them will grab a chance with both hands and make a spot their own, ala Trent and continue working hard or if they will think they have made it and stop working and fade away. Or if they can't hold down a spot immediately, will they work harder to try and get in there again or will they sulk and lose heart and interest. And that is the moment when you find out for sure what they are about.}

22 Jun 2021 17:16:03
I watched them in the FA youth cup final and none of the attackers stood out for Liverpool. The player who actually looked a level above was from Villa. Sorry forgot his name.

22 Jun 2021 18:14:59
Brad young was the stand out player for me in the u18 fa youth cup final.

22 Jun 2021 18:18:37
What happened to Glatzel? I remember a couple of seasons ago it was him and Dunc and then he had an injury?

22 Jun 2021 18:41:44
He got injured again Klopp unfortunately. He really needs a run of games but he does look a good player.

22 Jun 2021 19:18:56
I met musialowski early last year. I don't know about the talent at his feet but from a psychological perspective he's ready. Young man has an excellent head on his shoulders and very clear goals for himself. If he has talent expect big things.

22 Jun 2021 20:59:31
Gordon didn play in the final, cup-tied.16 and already to easy for him at u18 level. a real real player there, i'd rate him even higher than Musialowski. Villa were very good in fairness, physically looked a bit more developed.

22 Jun 2021 21:50:52
Yes I agree atm Gordon looks the one.

22 Jun 2021 23:09:13
Have to remember that aswell as Gordon we also could have had Elliott on the pitch who would have been the best player on the pitch by a million miles. I'd still say we will have more players come through from that age group than that Villa team.

23 Jun 2021 09:38:52
It would take an extraordinary amount of luck, good fortune and timing if all 3 featured together to form the basis of our attack in a few seasons time. Here's hoping!

23 Jun 2021 13:36:41
Jon Flanagan never had much to his game. It wasn't really natural or technical ability that got him into the first team. So when the injuries struck, there was an air of inevitability that he wasn't going to make it.

I actually preferred Martin Kelly as a youth prospect but, again, injuries.