[FM14] Liverpool FC: Winning With Kids

Top Six

Gerrard's Thoughts

"Again, this month was further progress in the league, and we also managed to overcome tough opposition in Grimsby, to reach the 1st round proper of the FA Cup: I wouldn't go as far as some have, and call the FA Cup a chance of silverware, but it'll be a good money-spinner for us, so hopefully we can go as far as possible. In spite of the goals Jerome [Sinclair] scored this month, i've named Luis Alberto as my player of the month. The boy didn't need to stay with the club, but he did, and he's taken his chance to really bring himself to the fore and push the physical side of his game forward: he's creating chances and causing problems for defences in every single game, and creating space for his attacking team-mates to do some serious damage."

November 2013: Standing In The Way Of Control

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Engine Room: Luis Alberto has been influential for Liverpool so far

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Liverpool's seemingly unassailable march towards the Skrill North title took another giant bound forward this month, as the Anfield club brushed aside every team presented to them, scoring 21 goals, and only conceding 3, to take a 13 point lead at the top of the table.

The Merseyside club have looked as fearsome in the bottom league of English football as many hoped they would, but manager Steven Gerrard still has a lot of work to do: keeping the young minds in his squad focussed on the long-term goal, and keeping his players fresh and constantly improving are sure to be his key objectives this season, with promotion looking inevitable.

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Liverpool 5-2 Hednesford
Dunn, Alberto, Robinson, Sinclair (x2)
Jerome Sinclair (8.8)
Liverpool displayed a killer attacking instinct in this match, with 17 year old Jerome Sinclair sending a clear warning message to the other teams in the league; he is lethal, and he's ready to do some real damage. While Gerrard might have cause to be annoyed at some shoddy defending, this result was a great boost to the side, and will leave them buoyant in the rest of the month.

Boston United 0-3 Liverpool
Sinclair, Rossiter, Passley
Josh Passley (8.3)
One of Liverpool's summer signings, 19 year old Josh Passley has been invaluable to the Red's cause this season: providing solid support in the heart of defence, and causing real issues down the right flank when played as a right back, in the absence of captain John Flanagan. Defensively, the Reds were much better in this match, as they played their way to a comfortable win.

Liverpool 3-0 Wycombe Wanderers
Yesil (x3)
Samed Yesil (9.6)
This game was an attacking masterclass from Turkish striker Samed Yesil, as he sent a friendly reminder to the Liverpool fans that he was still very much an option for their club, despite the recent performances of both Luis Alberto and Jerome Sinclair. After this performance to take his club to the 2nd round of the FA Cup, the 19 year old is attracting attention from clubs such as Frankfurt and Frieburg, but it is unlikely that Gerrard will want to lose a striker with so much experience still to give his side.

Colwyn Bay 0-4 Liverpool
Sinclair (x2)
Lea (x2)
John Flanagan (9.0)
John Flanagan once again played the role of captain Fantastic against Colwyn bay, in the 3rd qualifying round of the FA Trophy. The 20 year old was a constant threat down the right wing, and provided assists for both of Sinclair's goals, and also forced the mistake for the first of Michael Lea's own goals. A comfortable win for the reds, and safe passage into the first round of the FA Trophy.

Altrincham 0-2 Liverpool
Hector, Sinclair
Harry Wilson (7.7)
A good team effort for the win here, with Michael Hector rising above the Altrincham defence from a corner to head home the opening goal, before a Harry Wilson cross met the boot of Jerome Sinclair to make it 2-0. 16 year old Wilson linked well with Coady and Chirivella in the middle of the pitch, as he worked hard to make a stamp on the game; playing in the hole, with Alberto absent with a pulled calf muscle.

Liverpool 4-1 Harrogate
Luis Alberto, Canos, Yesil (x2)
Sergi Canos (9.3)
Again, another fringe player stole the show here; Spaniard Sergi Canos ripping the Harrogate defence to shreds with intelligent attacking play and blistering pace; scoring once and setting Yesil up for both his goals. The 16 year old who joined from Barcelona last season took his chance well to make a mark on Gerrard's first-team plans, ahead of the second half of the season.

Liverpool 1-0 Skelmersdale
Rossiter
Jordan Rossiter (7.8)
Liverpool came close to being knocked out of the FA Trophy here, but vice-captain Jordan Rossiter played the role that so many fondly remember Gerrard playing; a commanding midfield performance was capped by a stunning 30 yard piledriver, 4 minutes from full-time, to spare the side's blushes, and ensure safe passage to the next round.

Top Six

Player Of The Month: Jerome Sinclair

"I'm delighted to be picked as Player of the Month: the whole side has been in incredible form, and i'm just lucky that i've been able to make such a big impact through my goals and movement. We're playing so well just now, and if we can carry that on, there's a lot of records to be broken on our way back to the top."

December 2013: Pulling Together

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Proving Ground: Yesil was on fire in front of goal this month

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Liverpool's tumble down the footballing ladder has seen chances given to players who may otherwise have struggled to get game time; and these youngsters are flourishing under the guidance of manager Steven Gerrard; himself adjusting to a new role, and new responsibilities. But this month, no player demonstrated evidence of a resurgence more than Turkish striker Samed Yesil. 7 goals in 4 starts for the 19 year old starlet took him to a league record of 9 goals in 7 games this season, and an overall scoring record of 13 goals in 10 starts for his side.

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Liverpool 2-0 AFC Telford (Skrill North)
Yesil (x2)
Samed Yesil (8.8)
A solid start to the month; a 2-0 victory over mid-table side Telford. Samed Yesil made a real impact, scoring twice and demonstrating exactly why he was once considered to be on the fringe of a senior Germany call-up.

Bristol City 2-0 Liverpool (FA Cup)
A poor, toothless performance, against League One side Bristol City. Jay Emmanuel-Thomas tore the young Liverpool side to shreds, and demonstrated exactly how far they still have to go in their return to the big time.

Bromley 0-3 Liverpool (FA Trophy)
Yesil, Sinclair, Robinson
Sheyi Ojo (8.2)
The perfect tonic to being knocked out of the FA Cup. Sheyi Ojo put in a top quality performance in midfield, providing assists for all 3 Liverpool goals, and showing great vision and range of passing. Here, more than ever, the team spirit which Liverpool display was evident, as every player on the pitch put in a shift to cover the sending off of right-back Josh Passley after only 20 minutes.

Liverpool 2-0 Bradford PA (Skrill North)
Yesil, Ibe
Brad Smith (7.6)
Filling in at left-back, Brad Smith put in a man of the match performance, mainly due to his incredible work rate, and range of passing. The 19 year old from Penrith, Australia was in fine form, and the fans, and his manager, certainly noticed.

Worcester 1-2 Liverpool (Skrill North)
Rossiter, Canos
Sergi Canos (8.1)
With Samed Yesil and Jerome Sinclair struggling for fitness, young Spaniard Sergi Canos stepped up to the plate, leading the Liverpool line with pace and style against Worcester; scoring once and setting up Rossiter's goal. The game was a closer affair than many Liverpool fans would have liked, but as one fan put it after the game "It's about getting the points; I don't care how we get there"


Colwyn Bay 0-4 Liverpool (Skrill North)
Rossiter, Yesil (x3)
Samed Yesil (9.6)
Another attacking masterclass from Liverpool, and Yesil, as they tore Colwyn Bay apart with fast, assured passing, and a deadly touch in front of goal. The four goal winning margin was no less than the Red's deserved, and fans will be delighted at the cutting edge displayed here.

Workington 0-2 Liverpool (Skrill North)
Luis Alberto, Sinclair
Sergi Canos (7.4)
The Reds took their foot of the gas early here; scoring twice in the first ten minutes, they were then content to stroke the ball around with ease. Sergi Canos once again showed what he can do as a creative force. Playing on the right wing, but allowed to roam right across the attacking third, the Spaniard once again provided the assists for both Liverpool goals.

Top Six

Player Of The Month: Jordan Rossiter

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Gerrard: There Are Ways We Could Improve

Food For Thought: Gerrard Oversees Training at Melwood

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Liverpool manager Steven Gerrard has spoken today, about the ways his side could improve, ahead of the second half of the Skrill North season. Following their tumble down the footballing pyramid in England, Gerrard's side sit top of the league, 21 points ahead of second-placed North Ferriby, with 21 games still to play.

Gerrard though, was keen to stress that the work at the club is not done yet: next season, barring a major disaster, the club will be in the Skrill Premier, and he is keen to ensure the squad is capable of continuing to dominate at that level.

With players such as Suso , Andre Wisdom and Tiago Illori due to return from loan this summer, some Liverpool fans may think Gerrard is over-reacting in regards to his side's strength in depth, but he has pointed to the lack of cover defensively, and in goal, as possible causes for concern as the club battles to the top.

With summer signing Jake Forster-Caskey returning from his loan spell at Brighton this week, many will be curious to see where he fits into a midfield already overflowing with talent: Rossiter, Chirivella and Lussey will not be quick to give up their starting spots, and Sheyi Ojo has been close to securing a first-team berth also; will the new boy upset that pecking order? Only time will tell.

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Top Of The World: Suso has been worlds away from his clubs Skrill struggle

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Rumour has it, however, that Gerrard is still in the market for one or two more players, with some media outlets pinpointing Fulham's Liam Donnelly, and West Brom's Alex Palmer, as potential solutions to the defensive depth issues currently plaguing the club.

Liverpool Seal Streete Deal

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On Board: Streete was won over by Gerrard's Vision For The Future

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Newcastle United's U-18 captain, Remie Streete, has joined Liverpool on loan until the end of this season, with the Merseyside club thought to have an option to buy the English center-back for around £1m at any point.

The 19 year old South Shields boy started his career at Newcastle, but failed to make a first team appearance in his time at the club. At the player's press conference, Gerrard hailed Streete's pace , and the mental strength he has displayed to return from serious injury, and get back to playing competitive football.

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Work Ethic: Streete has recovered from a Hernia which kept him out for two months

With Streete seemingly the answer to concerns around defensive depth; what is Gerrard planning to fill the void which would be left by any injury to goalkeeper Benjamin Siegrist? Sources suggest that Ryan Fulton, currently backup to Siegrist, is becoming disenchanted at the lack of first team football available to him, and could be on his way out of Anfield this summer.

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