Liverpool FC Forum

by **Ben Patrick** » Sat Apr 23, 2011 9:08 am

woof woof ! wrote:
Ben Patrick wrote:Rafa deserves credit for the way he changed the acadamy and for bringing in the coaches. But if he was still manager players would have been played out of position before giving youth a chance.

I remember going away to Portsmouth and Aurelio playing centre midfield when we had injury problems with Spearing not getting a look in.

In fairness Ben wasn't that about 2 years ago ? Maybe Spearing couldn't get off school that day

You don't give a player a chance just because they're young, you give them a chance because you think they're ready for it.

He would have been 20 at the time probably mate.

And i agree you dont just throw someone in if you dont think they are ready or could handle it.
But i dont think Rafa would have played Flanagan or Robinson.
He is too cautious to risk it.

by **Igor Zidane** » Sat Apr 23, 2011 10:24 am

Oh dear rafa .

Liverpool's youngest ever player Jack Robinson describes debut as a 'dream come true'
Warrington-born starlet delighted to make history...
By Daniel Sheppard
11 May 2010 21:18:00

Liverpool left-back Jack Robinson became the club's youngest ever player at 16 years and 250 days when he came on as a substitute for Ryan Babel against Hull City on Sunday as the Reds drew their final game of the Premier League season 0-0.

The 16-year-old played just two minutes - his only contribution was sliding a ball infield to captain Steven Gerrard, a move which lead to the England international hitting the woodwork - but described the brief moments as a dream come true.

"It was an amazing feeling to get on and a very exciting moment," Robinson told Liverpool’s official website.

"I only found out for certain that I was in the squad on Saturday morning but it was completely unexpected.

"It's a dream come true.

"Sammy Lee called me on Saturday and when he told me that I was going to be in the squad, I just went into shock.

"I knew it was going to be a great experience and just sitting on the bench would have been good enough but it became even better to get on.

"It was the first time that I have ever travelled with the squad and I'll never forget it; I still can't believe that I've made a little bit of history."

by **Igor Zidane** » Sat Apr 23, 2011 10:29 am

Kinell rafa not him aswell./

Jay Spearing was captain of Liverpool's U-18 team which won the second of their successive FA Youth Cups in 2007. He was also a key midfield player in the Liverpool team which won the FA Premier Reserve League title in 2007-08. Spearing finally made his long-awaited debut for Liverpool's first team in the Champions League group match away to PSV Eindhoven on the 9th of December 2008, when he replaced Albert Riera with a quarter of an hour remaining. Another equally brief but impressive substitute appearance came in the same competition against Real Madrid at Anfield three months later. Spearing came on for captain Steven Gerrard with Liverpool already comfortably ahead 3-0 on the night and 4-0 on aggregate. The little midfielder impressed the crowd with his confidence against the famous Spanish club and although he didn't play for the first-team again in 2008-09 it was hardly a surprise when in the middle of July 2009 it was announced that he had agreed a new deal to extend his contract at Anfield. As Spearing himself explained, "It wasn't a difficult decision to make. As soon as Rafa said he wanted to offer me a new deal, I wanted to put pen to paper."

Spearing started Liverpool's League cup ties at Leeds and Arsenal; he also started at Sunderland in the 'beach-ball' match and made two substitute appearances against Portsmouth and Wolves either side of Christmas but those were his only first-team appearances in 2009-2010. On the 23rd of March 2010 he was loaned out to Championship club Leicester City until the end of the season. Spearing played 8 times in Leicester's first team (seven times from the start and once as a substitute) as the Foxes reached the end-of-season play-offs. He scored one goal as a loanee ... against Watford in a 4-1 home win on the 17th of April. Spearing played from the start in the home leg of Leicester's play-off semi-final with Cardiff City; but he only made the substitute's bench for the return leg in Cardiff three days later. The match in Wales went to extra-time but Leicester were eventually beaten 4-3 on penalties to give Spearing an unhappy and bitter end to his loan spell with the Foxes.
Appearances per season
Season League FA LC Europe Other Total
Totals 9 0 3 10 0 22
2008-2009 0 0 0 2 0 2
2009-2010 3 0 2 0 0 5
2010-2011 6 0 1 8 0 15
A more detailed look at the player's appearances
Total Opponent
2 Sunderland
2 Arsenal
2 Napoli
2 FK Rabotnicki
2 SC Braga
1 Portsmouth
1 Sparta Prague
1 Northampton
1 Real Madrid
1 Steaua Bucharest
1 PSV Eindhoven
1 Leeds United
1 Chelsea
1 Man City
1 Everton
1 Wolves
1 WBA
Total Started/substitutions
14 Started
30 On the bench
8 Substitute
1 Substituted
Total Competition
9 Premier League
8 Europa League
3 League Cup
2 Champions League
Goals per season
Season League FA LC Europe Other Total
Totals 0 0 0 0 0 0
2008-2009 0 0 0 0 0 0
2009-2010 0 0 0 0 0 0
2010-2011 0 0 0 0 0 0
A more detailed look at the player's goalscoring
Total Team
No records to display.
Total Started/substitutions
0 Started
0 Substitute
Total Competition
No records to display.
Total Goal minute period
0 1-15
0 16-30
0 31-45
0 46-60
0 61-75
0 76-90
0 91-120
Total Open play/Penalty
0 Open play
0 Penalty
Wartime Appearances / Goals
Season Appearances Goals
No records to display.
Stats note
Milestone Appearances
# Date Against Stadium Competition
1 09.12.2008 PSV Eindhoven Philips Stadion Europe
Milestone Goals
# Minute Date Against Stadium Competition
No records to display.
Related Articles
Related Quotes

"To play at Anfield at any time is extra special for me, but to come on against probably the biggest club in the world makes it even better. It was hard to think straight when the Kop started singing my name. It is something I will never forget. Quite a few of the lads came up to me afterwards to say 'congratulations' - they were made up about the song. But I've got to look forward now, keep working hard and hopefully I'll get another chance. From start to finish we passed the ball well, worked hard and showed fight. We deserved it. It's got to be one of the top ones - it's a great result for us and now we can look forward to the next round."

Jay Spearing after his cameo vs. Real at Anfield
The player was in the squad the following season
Season Shirt # Position
2008-2009 26 Midfielder
2009-2010 26 Midfielder
2010-2011 26 Midfielder
* Note, Since the 1993-94 season players have been allocated a fixed number.

by **Igor Zidane** » Sat Apr 23, 2011 10:31 am

Martin kelly

Tall, elegant centre-half Martin Kelly graduated to Melwood in the summer of 2007 and was a part of Gary Ablett's reserve team that won the League in the 2007-8 season. Rafa included him in the group of Liverpool players listed for the Champions League and he made his debut when he came on for Jamie Carragher in the 82nd minute against PSV Eindhoven on 9th December 2008. He didn't play any more games that season for Liverpool's first-team and was loaned out to Huddersfield Town in League One from March until the end of the 2008-2009 season and made 7 League appearances for the Yorkshire club. Kelly finally made his full Liverpool debut against Lyon at Anfield in a group stage game in the 2009-2010 Champions League season. He played as right-back and had a man-of-the-match performance, delivering quality crosses and showing undoubted skills. He might have had a good run in the side but injured his groin against Lyon and was sidelined for four months.

By the time he had recovered from the injury he sustained in October 2009, only a couple of months of the season remained. Time enough, however, for Martin to make two more substitute appearances ... away to Unirea Urziceni on the 25th of February and at home to Portsmouth on the 15th of March before getting injured again and not featuring for the rest of the season.

Having recovered from his injury, Martin impressed during Liverpool's pre-season period in the summer of 2010; and he was rewarded by being named for the first time in England's Under-21 squad, with national manager at that level Stuart Pearce declaring "Martin Kelly has played for Liverpool in this pre-season in a European qualifying tie and I also saw him with the younger age groups, so it's a great opportunity for him". At Ashton Gate, Bristol on the 10th of August Martin came on as a second-half substitute and scored England's second goal in a 2-0 victory over Uzbekistan.

On the 3rd of December 2010 the club announced that Martin Kelly had signed a three-year extension to his existing contract, which would now run until the last day of June, 2014.

by **Igor Zidane** » Sat Apr 23, 2011 10:35 am

Give Rafa credit where credit’s due

Liverpool could owe a debt of gratitude to former manager Rafa Benitez for his part in revamping the Liverpool youth academy that has been in decline in recent years. In the summer of 2009 Kirkby was transformed with the help of Rodolfo Borrell and Pep Segura, who were key figures in the set-up of Barcleona’s academy. Benitez also brought back one-time chief scout Frank McParland to oversee the progression of Liverpool’s rising stars.

It is hoped it won’t be long before the next wonder kids are coming through and breaking into the reserve and first team. If the foundations that Rafa has put in place start to bear fruit then Liverpool stand to save millions on transfer fees. Who will be the next Steven Gerrard, Jamie Carragher or Michael Owen?

There have been places in the first team squad this season for the highly rated duo of Jay Spearing and Martin Kelly. So it appears there is already evidence that Liverpool can start to produce their own players again. The excellent youth and scouting system that has been put in place is not purely reserved to British players. Take the example of Daniel Pacheco, who is currently on loan at Championship side Norwich City. Pacheco was playing for the Barcelona academy before being recruited into the Liverpool reserves and then the first team. It remains to be seen how good of player he will be, but he certainly has a lot of potential.

The bottom line is the future for Liverpool looks bright and there is plenty of evidence to suggest Liverpool can produce some real stars. There is something about seeing your club’s youth players breaking into the first team and you just know these youngsters are thrilled just to play for the club. You do sometimes wonder with these foreign signings how much they value playing for the club and how much they really care. However, when a player has come through the youth system (even if they aren’t British) you feel they have become part of the family of that great club. They just want to go out there and impress the fans and you can be sure they value the opportunity they have been given.

The Premier League needs the next crop of young and hungry British players and I am delighted to see that Liverpool are doing all they can to produce them. Rafa Benitez did many great things for Liverpool and I am pleased to see even after he has left his legacy will live on through the next crop of Liverpool’s rising stars.

by **Benny The Noon** » Sat Apr 23, 2011 10:55 am

Kharhaz wrote:
jimmy brighton wrote:Indeed. It's very easy for the anti-rafa brigade to suggest anything other. One of Rafa's primary objectives was to sort out the academy. He even went so far as to sack Heighway coz he didn't think his direction was right. An Anfield fav and yet he binned him so he could oversee the youth himself. You have to remember after the furore of winning the CL in '05, winning the F.A. cup in '06, reaching the CL final again the following year and a couple of seasons later pushing manu right to the point were they had to record a record points total to fend us of, he was under immense pressure to win the Prem for the first time in a long time. So maybe he couldn't afford to blood the youngsters (except for the league cup) as his biggest aim was to deliver that elusive PL. Also, he had to deal with the joke owners we had. When the media darling Woy steps in, no-one was really expecting a thing coz he's sh*te(and everyone knew he was under sh*t owners). Point being is Rafa did a lot for our youth set-up and Kenny is grateful. His thank you was not condescending (unlike his remark about Woy!). As for Reg's original post, go and top you pint up mate. Your glass is half full

What a crock of sh!t.

Rafa was a control freak who wanted total control of everything associated with the club. Who did he bring in youth wise?

Under Rafa what young player broke into the first team?

Indeed how many local players were shut out because of the amount of foreign youngsters he wanted to bring in?

Blah blah all you like about Rafa, the fact is, regarding the Academy, Houillier got that ball rolling.

Peltier
Potter
Mellor
Pongolle
Warnock
Spearing
Plessis
El Zhar
Kelly
Robinson
Ayala
Eccelstone

Just a few who got first team appearances or debuts under Rafa

The Academy kids Houllier had at the club werent good enough so Rafa got rid and changed over the whole coaching staff in the Academy and the kids were are seeing come through now are the benefits of those changes

But dont let a bit of fact get in the way of things

by **Reg** » Sat Apr 23, 2011 1:53 pm

Yeah but the fanatics didnt see it that way. Ccccccccccontrol, control..................

by **jimmy brighton** » Sat Apr 23, 2011 5:02 pm

Kharhaz wrote:
jimmy brighton wrote:Indeed. It's very easy for the anti-rafa brigade to suggest anything other. One of Rafa's primary objectives was to sort out the academy. He even went so far as to sack Heighway coz he didn't think his direction was right. An Anfield fav and yet he binned him so he could oversee the youth himself. You have to remember after the furore of winning the CL in '05, winning the F.A. cup in '06, reaching the CL final again the following year and a couple of seasons later pushing manu right to the point were they had to record a record points total to fend us of, he was under immense pressure to win the Prem for the first time in a long time. So maybe he couldn't afford to blood the youngsters (except for the league cup) as his biggest aim was to deliver that elusive PL. Also, he had to deal with the joke owners we had. When the media darling Woy steps in, no-one was really expecting a thing coz he's sh*te(and everyone knew he was under sh*t owners). Point being is Rafa did a lot for our youth set-up and Kenny is grateful. His thank you was not condescending (unlike his remark about Woy!). As for Reg's original post, go and top you pint up mate. Your glass is half full

What a crock of sh!t.

Rafa was a control freak who wanted total control of everything associated with the club. Who did he bring in youth wise?

Under Rafa what young player broke into the first team?

Indeed how many local players were shut out because of the amount of foreign youngsters he wanted to bring in?

Blah blah all you like about Rafa, the fact is, regarding the Academy, Houillier got that ball rolling.

'What a crock of sh!t'? Have you read the Mirror today? There's an article about Spearing and the youngsters that are breaking through. I quote
"Ironically, Benitez set up this conveyor belt when he overhauled the Academy, appointing Spanish coaches Pep Segura and Rodolfo Borrell. A boyhood Red, Spearing claims the fans love to see local lads coming through because they are so passionate." An apology will suffice

by **metalhead** » Sat Apr 23, 2011 5:10 pm

credit where credit is due, Rafa has done well with the Youth academy, especially bringing in the 2 Spanish youth coaches from Barcelona.

by **Thommo's perm** » Sat Apr 23, 2011 5:15 pm

jimmy brighton wrote:
Kharhaz wrote:
jimmy brighton wrote:Indeed. It's very easy for the anti-rafa brigade to suggest anything other. One of Rafa's primary objectives was to sort out the academy. He even went so far as to sack Heighway coz he didn't think his direction was right. An Anfield fav and yet he binned him so he could oversee the youth himself. You have to remember after the furore of winning the CL in '05, winning the F.A. cup in '06, reaching the CL final again the following year and a couple of seasons later pushing manu right to the point were they had to record a record points total to fend us of, he was under immense pressure to win the Prem for the first time in a long time. So maybe he couldn't afford to blood the youngsters (except for the league cup) as his biggest aim was to deliver that elusive PL. Also, he had to deal with the joke owners we had. When the media darling Woy steps in, no-one was really expecting a thing coz he's sh*te(and everyone knew he was under sh*t owners). Point being is Rafa did a lot for our youth set-up and Kenny is grateful. His thank you was not condescending (unlike his remark about Woy!). As for Reg's original post, go and top you pint up mate. Your glass is half full

What a crock of sh!t.

Rafa was a control freak who wanted total control of everything associated with the club. Who did he bring in youth wise?

Under Rafa what young player broke into the first team?

Indeed how many local players were shut out because of the amount of foreign youngsters he wanted to bring in?

Blah blah all you like about Rafa, the fact is, regarding the Academy, Houillier got that ball rolling.

'What a crock of sh!t'? Have you read the Mirror today? There's an article about Spearing and the youngsters that are breaking through. I quote
"Ironically, Benitez set up this conveyor belt when he overhauled the Academy, appointing Spanish coaches Pep Segura and Rodolfo Borrell. A boyhood Red, Spearing claims the fans love to see local lads coming through because they are so passionate." An apology will suffice

Maybe Benitez should have took over the academy and let KK run the seniors?

by **tubby** » Sat Apr 23, 2011 6:01 pm

Nice on Rafa. Nice one Kenny. Now let's move onwards and upwards.

Enough said.

by **Kharhaz** » Sun Apr 24, 2011 12:55 am

jimmy brighton wrote:'What a crock of sh!t'? Have you read the Mirror today? There's an article about Spearing and the youngsters that are breaking through. I quote
"Ironically, Benitez set up this conveyor belt when he overhauled the Academy, appointing Spanish coaches Pep Segura and Rodolfo Borrell. A boyhood Red, Spearing claims the fans love to see local lads coming through because they are so passionate." An apology will suffice

The Mirror? Seriously?

Conveyor belt?

Jay Spearing has not looked the part until the last couple of games, where he has finally come into his own. Injuries have helped, but also the kids attitude has been superb.

To quote Jay Spearing:

the fans love to see local lads coming through because they are so passionate.

Didnt Steven Gerrard get subbed in a match against Everton for being "too passionate"?

No apology this time. Rafa has done a lot of good things regarding the club, but encouraging the young players is not one of them.

by **Kharhaz** » Sun Apr 24, 2011 1:10 am

Benny The Noon wrote:Peltier
Potter
Mellor
Pongolle
Warnock
Spearing
Plessis
El Zhar
Kelly
Robinson
Ayala
Eccelstone

Just a few who got first team appearances or debuts under Rafa

The Academy kids Houllier had at the club werent good enough so Rafa got rid and changed over the whole coaching staff in the Academy and the kids were are seeing come through now are the benefits of those changes

But dont let a bit of fact get in the way of things

By all means, dont let facts get in the way.

Were are all those players you mentioned now?

And of the ones no longer here, who sold them?

by **Octsky** » Sun Apr 24, 2011 3:57 am

Kharhaz wrote:
Benny The Noon wrote:Peltier
Potter
Mellor
Pongolle
Warnock
Spearing
Plessis
El Zhar
Kelly
Robinson
Ayala
Eccelstone

Just a few who got first team appearances or debuts under Rafa

The Academy kids Houllier had at the club werent good enough so Rafa got rid and changed over the whole coaching staff in the Academy and the kids were are seeing come through now are the benefits of those changes

But dont let a bit of fact get in the way of things

By all means, dont let facts get in the way.

Were are all those players you mentioned now?

And of the ones no longer here, who sold them?

how many are home-grown?
how many started ?
thats the key.
how many started?
this shows the amount of faith u hv in a youth player

how many home-grown youths started under Kenny?
and how long was Kenny here?

Pongolle was brought in and played by Houllier, rafa sold him.
Mellor scored to end gooner's invincible unbeaten run but i dont know what happened afterwards. He got loan/sold.

by **Kenny Kan** » Sun Apr 24, 2011 6:46 am

Another rafa thread ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

Liverpool FC Forum

We're all barmy - Completely off our noddys

Who is online