08 Jan 2026 17:32:35
ED001, I was talking to my mates about players who were good enough but for some reason that never did make the grade at Liverpool. But remember Adam Hamill, I seen him play and he had plenty of skill n was quick, seemed to be a knocker to play for us .
Do you know why it never happened, I saw his stats of who he'd played for afterwards but nothing looked like he was the player who id thought he'd be.
{Ed001's Note - he wasn't very good mate. Was fine at youth level, but couldn't make the step up.}
08 Jan 2026 18:04:23
Yeah, I remember a bit of buzz around him. If football is at all like cricket, there are lots of young players with innate talent and promise - but few of them have that other-wordly drive and self-belief to make the step up, and the application to keep improving every day.
This is by no means a criticism of those who don't "make it". I just think elite sportsmen/ women are more obsessively driven than most mortals.
I do also think sports science has some way to go in handling young players. Too many pick up a destructive series of injuries when playing in their late teens and early 20s. Robbie, Owen and even Heskey saw their fitness issues hobble their careers way too early on.
We got lucky with Stevie G. Maybe he played less games as a teen for us?
08 Jan 2026 18:06:38
Thats when I watched him . he looked a lot better than most, just shows you the difference in the step up between youth n first team . did he have a attitude or fall out with people aswel.
{Ed001's Note - there is a huge difference. He just didn't have that will or desire to succeed that you need to keep driving you on. It often works like that when they stand out at any level, they can lose their way as they are better than their peers and lose their targets to better. Often players get their drive from trying to beat someone else, whether it be the player currently occupying the position they want or an opponent. He just seemed to think he was there and ready but still had a lot to do.}
08 Jan 2026 18:40:02
ED001, shame really, I get what you mean with the drive and desire, Jordan Henderson and James Milner are the perfect examples of that. thanks for the feedback Ed.
{Ed001's Note - Michael Jordan is probably the best example though. As he said in that documentary about himself, he would literally make up reasons in his head to start a beef with an opponent to drive himself on. That is another level of competitiveness.}
08 Jan 2026 18:58:45
A guy I knew was genuinely a brilliant young player. He joined the youth team at a top League 1, then Premiership club at the time. He spent a couple of days there with someone who went on to become one of our best 90s midfielders, and very quickly realised he could not compete with that singular vision, and drive to succeed.
These guys are just on a different level. Personally, I think Man U has put too much faith in youth players who show the talent, but not the application.
08 Jan 2026 19:01:43
They recently asked MJ if his Bulls would beat the current LA Lakers. Jordan's response was that the Bulls would win by a few points. When pressed on why a "few points", he said, "because we're in our 60s now. " ?. Born winner.
08 Jan 2026 19:05:03
It's also why most top sports players are not easy people to get on with: in normal life, stubbornness is a nasty personal quality, but it's a key factor in sporting success.
08 Jan 2026 19:17:57
Any other past promising Liverpool players that stand out? I remember watching Richie Partridge and Jordan Rossiter and thought they'll make it but never did unfortunately.
08 Jan 2026 19:20:09
As a youngster I played high level cricket. I was captaining the mens county team when I was 15. I was approached by the England setup and asked if I would come train at the academy, at which point I said no. I then discovered going out with mates and girls!
I think I had so much pressure and expectation at such a young age I ended up just getting fed up with it all.
Do I regret it, absolutely! But never mind, still had a good innings so far!
{Ed025's Note - love it Stuie..
08 Jan 2026 20:00:33
I know Adams brother, Leigh, very well.
08 Jan 2026 22:12:00
I know his brother Mark extremely well. The force is strong in him!
08 Jan 2026 22:46:50
Love it S2 ?.
08 Jan 2026 23:15:57
From my experience in sport younger siblings often make it, as they spend their lives battling against a rival with a size, strength and maturity advantage, they learn to win against the odds.
09 Jan 2026 00:36:48
I think the player I was genuinely most excited about for the longest time was Harry Wilson. Ripped up the youth leagues and is currently showing his potential. I know he might not ever have been top level, but I love seeing great players come through the ranks.