The boys became men on Wednesday night as the youth players didn’t look out of place playing with the first team in the League Cup, but now it is business as usual as the young players return to U23’s duty, starting with Arsenal away on Saturday afternoon.
Neil Critchley will be hoping the experience some of the youth players got in the League Cup match against MK Dons will help springboard the U23’s season into life. Critchley spoke of his pride seeing the likes of Harvey Elliot and Rhian Brewster being called up to the senior team stating “all of the staff were absolutely delighted to see those boys had their opportunity”.
The Reds have not started as well as they wanted to, with only five points from their opening six league games. Despite the lack of results Critchley remains defiant “the points haven’t backed up the performances we have produced”. It has been a leaky defence that has cost them so far, which can be explained by a number of factors.
Looking at the 4-3-3 system Critchley puts in place, it allows the attacking play to flourish so the likes of Herbie Kane, Curtis Jones can drive forward. However, there is always that risk of leaving the back four exposed when trying to sustain attacks in the opposition. In defence of the system, though, a lot of the goals liverpool have conceded this season has been a result of individual mistakes.
Whether it was Pedro Chirivella losing possession on the edge of his penalty area for Leicester’s equaliser last week or Ki-Jana Hoever being muscled off the ball against Southampton leading to one of their consolation goals, Liverpool’s way of playing can’t be entirely to blame for their leaky defence.
One shining light so far this season, though, has been Curtis Jone’s form. In five league appearances Jones has looked menacing in the centre of the park, driving at opposition defences, providing 2 goals and 3 assists which equates to a 50% goal participation.
It’s a testament to his development as a player that experienced pros like James Milner have praised the youngster, sensing a growing maturity in him in terms of his defence work by “getting his angles right when he is defending”. Jones has shown to be a vertaisle player by playing in centre midfield for the U23’s and then in the front three for the first team.
Arsenal have started the season well as they sit third and are still unbeaten so far in the league. Liverpool will be looking to avenge the 4-0 hammering the Gunners gave them this time last season, and there will be a brewing confidence within the youth side knowing that their capability to match first team football means that they won’t fear any of the other U23’s sides in the league.
