[FM14] Liverpool FC: Winning With Kids

January 2014 Roundup

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A New Year: Liverpool fans and players are looking forward to 2014

February 2014 Roundup

Maestro: Jake Forster Caskey was Liverpool's Inspiration this month.

Reds Made To Work Hard To Seal Title

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Hero: Brad Smtih Lines Up A Long-Range Freekick

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Liverpool were made to work hard tonight, as they travelled to Barrow, hoping to tie up the Skrill North title with 11 games remaining in the season. Many people thought the game would be a rout, with Liverpool continuing their statesman-like procession towards the Skrill Premier, and the next stage of their journey to the top, but Barrow had other ideas.

Within the first 10 minutes, Barrow striker Phil Marsh had twice broken free of the Liverpool defence, with Lloyd Jones twice having to steal the ball away at the last moment, to spare the blushes of the more experienced Michael Hector.

Jones was wearing the captain's armband, in the absence of both John Flanagan and Jordan Rossiter, and he was solid at the back as Barrow swarmed forwards for the first half hour, keeping Liverpool pinned into their own half, and giving their supporters a glimmer of hope that maybe, just maybe, the Reds could be beaten.

That dream was short-lived though. Jones picked the ball up just outside the Liverpool penalty box, before playing it out wide to Brad Smith, who went on a marauding run down the left flank, before squaring the ball for an onrushing Jerome Sinclair, and as the ball bounced perfectly, the 17 year old didn't have to be asked twice, as he buried a sweet half-volley to silence the growing optimism of the Barrow support.

Sinclair made it 2-0 just eight minutes later, with a simple tap in from a Sergi Canos corner which skidded across the Barrow 6 yard line before meeting the 17 year old's boot, and once again, and for the 26th time in 22 league games, the youngster made no mistake. The Liverpool fans knew they were within touching distance of the title, and only the second half, and a major collapse, now stood in their way.

In the second half, that collapse started to look more and more likely, as Barrow came out of the blocks with venom. Peppering the Liverpool penalty box with crosses and long balls forward, Barrow were determined to take something away from this game, and on-loan striker Tom Corner gave them some hope when he latched onto a long ball forward from Andrew Burns, and lifted a clever shot over the outstretched arm of Siegrist in the Liverpool goal to make it 2-1.

With the Liverpool defence reeling, Phil Marsh quickly drew Barrow level, just 5 minutes later, as he sliced through the center of Jones and Hector before rounding Siegrist and slot home his sides second goal of the game. Tensions on the pitch were rising, as Liverpool watched this chance at the title slip from their grasp. With 10 minutes to go, could they find something now to kill the tie?

The answer came 4 minutes from time, as Jack Dunn was hacked down just outside the Barrow box, and as Jordan Rossiter came on to replace him, Brad Smith stepped up to the free-kick. Liverpool fans all around the ground were murmuring to themselves; Luis Alberto's our freekick taker, what's this kid doing?

But Alberto lurked on the edge of the box, anticipating the short freekick which Liverpool had worked on so many times in training. Smith though, had other ideas. A short run-up was followed by a powerful, dipping shot, and before anyone could register what had happened, the 19 year old's 1st goal of the season was nestling in the back of the net, and the Skrill North trophy was on it's way to Anfield. Barrow 2, Liverpool 3.

Wilson: Next Season We Must Step Up

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Rallying Call: Harry Wilson has called his team mates out to make the step up next season

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Liverpool winger Harry Wilson has spoken to Sky Sports News today, about his sides chances in the Skrill Premier next season. Liverpool are champions elect of the Skrill North, but need to wait until the last game of the season to get their hands on the trophy, and Wilson has called for focus in the meantime.

"We've still got nine games to play, and in those nine games we've got a chance to make a record that other teams will find it hard to come close to: in fact, we've got a chance to make loads - Jerome is on 27 league goals, and I think the league's record is 32, so he's not far off that. We've already got the record for most goals scored I think, and maybe even least conceded. This isn't a time to rest on our laurels."

The 16 year old has certainly matured this season, bringing an assurance and class to his side that many feared the group of youngsters would be lacking following their drop down the leagues. In 19 appearances in all competitions, Wilson has scored 4 times and made 8 assists for his side, with a passing success rate of 87% - but he's pointed out something Liverpool players and fans need to remember: the cavalry is returning.

"I think we've got to remember that yes, we've done incredibly this season to keep the head and do what needed to be done, but there's a lot of good players who are coming back off loans next season: Suso, Tiago [Illori], Andre [Wisdom] and Ryan [McLaughlin], and everyone who's playing in those positions is going to have to step it up, and that includes me. Suso plays all across the attacking midfield, so people like me, Sergi, Jac [Dunn] and Sheyi [Ojo] need to up our game. Luis Alberto is gonna be tough to keep out the side, and obviously Suso is likely to be Steve's first choice ahead of most of us. Rotation isn't a bad thing, obviously, and everyone does get their chance, but more regular chances are never a bad thing."

So, we took a look at exactly how Liverpool's crop of loan stars have played this season, and how likely they are to fit straight into the first XI next season.

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1. Suso (Almeria)

Position: AMC(RL)
Games: 29
Goals: 3
Assists: 3
Average Rating: 6.79
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The 20 year old from Cadiz has been at Liverpool for almost 4 years now, with loan spells at Almeria and Cadiz in that time seeing him pick up some first-team experience. This season, the youngster's pace and skill have seen him net 3 times for Almeria; once against Osasuna, once against Elche and once against Barcelona, as his side currently sit 19th in the Liga BBVA, 4 points from safety. His general class for the level Liverpool are playing at just now mean he would easily slot into the starting XI anywhere across the midfield next season.

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2. Tiago Illori (Granada)

Position: DC
Games: 17
Goals: 0
Assists: 0
Average Rating: 6.59
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Illori's Granada currently sit 16th in Liga BBVA, and the defender has demonstrated some incredible defensive work this season, not least in the side's draw against Barcelona, when he kept Argentine star Lionel Messi quiet, in no small part down to his incredible pace and stamina, which meant he didn't allow Messi to outpace or outsmart him, even in the latter stages of the match. With the summer signings of Hector and Passley, and the resurgence of Lloyd Jones, Illori has some work to do to break into the defensive partnership at Liverpool, but his work this season will stand him in good stead.

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3. Andre Wisdom (Derby)

Position: DC(R)
Games: 35
Goals: 0
Assists: 0
Average Rating: 6.66
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With his Derby side resting just outside of the Relegation zone in the Championship, Andre Wisdom may have some questions to answer - unlike Illori, he has struggled to deal with pacey opponents this season, but for the Skrill Premier, is still a class act. His tackling and passing have been excellent at times this season, but again, he faces the prospect of breaking the trusted duo of Passley and Hector at the center of the Liverpool defence; and captain John Flanagan isn't likely to give up his right-back spot quickly.

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4. Ryan McLaughlin (Barnsley)

Position: DR
Games: 28
Goals: 2
Assists: 3
Average Rating: 6.72
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McLaughlin has spent this season at Barnsley, and, although his side are 17th in the Championship, he has impressed fans and managers alike, and Liverpool will have to stave off interest from the likes of Norwich and Watford when the Northern Irishman returns from his loan. A creative force down the right flank, McLaughlin might push Flanagan for a first team berth next season, but it will be a tough fight to make it his own.

Liverpool Ease To Double At Wembley

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Inspiration: Yesil Scored Liverpool's Second To Give His Side A Vital Boost

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22nd March, 2014, 1500

90,000 people packed into Wembley, as the rain lashed against the ground, driving across the field in a relentless wave. Liverpool and Braintree took to the sodden pitch, having fought through to the FA Trophy Final, and now they would face off against each other for the prize.

Liverpool captain John Flanagan had faced a race against time to be fit for this game, but through a mixture of hard work and painkillers, he led his side onto the hallowed Wembley turf for the first time since their tumble down the leagues; hoping to seal a league and cup double.

Road To The Final: Liverpool

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First Round
Liverpool 1-0 Skelmersdale

Second Round
Liverpool 3-0 Bromley

Third Round
Liverpool 4-1 Grimsby

Fourth Round
Liverpool 2-0 Basingstoke

Semi-Final
Liverpool 7-0 Wrexham (agg.)

Road To The Final: Braintree

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First Round
Braintree 1-0 Belper

Second Round
Braintree 2-1 Eastbourne Boro

Third Round
Braintree 1-0 Lincoln

Fourth Round
Braintree 1-0 Salisbury

Semi-Final
Braintree 6-0 Woking (agg.)

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With both sides having rested key players in the run up to this game, there was some speculation about how both sides would line up. Skrill North outfit Liverpool fielded a full-strength side, with Benjamin Siegrist returning to guard the Liverpool goal, after youngster Ryan Fulton made some mistakes at the weekend, conceding twice. Braintree, who currently sit second in the Skrill Premier, also lined up much as was expected, and the stage was set for a close contest, with bookies pricing Liverpool as favourites, at odds of 1/3.

Liverpool Squad

Formation: 4-2-3-1
Siegrist, Flanagan (c), Hector, Jones, Robinson, Forster-Caskey, Coady, Wilson, Alberto, Ojo, Yesil
Subs: Fulton, Smith, Canos, Sinclair, Passley

Braintree Squad

Formation: 4-2-2
McDonald, Moutaouakil, Wells, Griffiths, Basey, Wafula, Paine, Isaac, Davis, Marks, Holman
Subs: Trani, Mulley, Carney, Quinton, Cox

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Liverpool Kicked off, playing from left to right, in their proud red strips, and to start with, the heavy rain seemed to be suiting Braintree more - Liverpool's normal passing game was heavily disrupted, with the ball slowing down dramatically on the ground. Quickly though, Liverpool adapted their play, and led by Captain John Flanagan, used their superior technique to move the ball in the air, wtih Wilson and Alberto exchanging a quick game of keepy-uppy out on the right flank 15 minutes on, but Alberto couldn't keep his volley down, and the ball flashed over the bar.

Braintree were struggling to start anything, with Liverpool's midfield pressing high up the pitch, and not giving their opponents time to settle on the ball. And it was Liverpool who made the breakthrough after 31 minutes. Captain Flanagan latched onto a cross-field ball from Jack Robinson just inside the Braintree half, carrying the ball forward before playing it inside to Alberto, whose clever flick took him past two defenders, before he laid the ball back into the path of Flanagan, who was now just outside the Braintree box, and made no mistake with his shot, powering the ball into the far corner, well beyond the flailing McDonald.

Just two minutes later, Liverpool had the ball in the net again, this time Samed Yesil was the man of the moment, as he beat 3 players to fire home and put his side 2-0 ahead. The Braintree fans and players alike were distraught: was there a way back for them? It looked unlikely when Lloyd Jones rattled a header home from a Flanagan corner to put Liverpool 3-0 up after just 40 minutes - Reds fans thought they might see a rout here, on their way to taking the trophy home.

But it wasn't to be. In the second half, Gerrard instructed his players to hold the ball in midfield, and play out the tie with some class. Sean Marks got a consolation goal from Braintree 4 minutes from time, but when the whistle went, it was Liverpool fans, and Steven Gerrard, Celebrating a League and Cup double!

Liverpool 3-1 Braintree

2013/14: Came, Saw, Conquered

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Liverpool Manager Steven Gerrard celebrating last season

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In his first year in football management, Liverpool boss Steven Gerrard has achieved what many people questioned his ability to do with the squad he was given: promotion to the Skrill Premier, and an FA Trophy victory (also the first in the club's history) as well as overseeing the development of some of the most promising youngsters the club has produced. Below, we look at Liverpool's season, and the results of England's other Leagues

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Skrill North

Champions: Liverpool
Promoted: Histon
Relegated: Telford, Colywn Bay, Solihull Moors
Top Scorer: Jerome Sinclair (31)
Player Of The Year: Luis Alberto (Liverpool)

Skrill South

Champions: Staines
Promoted: Bath
Relegated: Dorchester, Basingstoke, Gosport
Top Scorer: Jake Robinson (21)
Player Of The Year: Bradley Hamilton (Whitehawk)

Skrill Premier

Champions: Cambridge
Promoted: Braintree
Relegated: Southport, Lincoln, Hyde, Woking
Top Scorer: Dan Holman (24)
Player Of The Year: Matt Tubbs (Crawley)

League Two

Champions: Portsmouth
Promoted: Burton, Oxford, Chesterfield
Relegated: Dagenham and Redbridge, Wimbledon
Top Scorer: Lee Barnard (22)
Player Of The Year: Tom Pope (Port Vale)

League One

Champions: Preston
Promoted: Bristol City, Wolves
Relegated: Swindon, Stevenage, Gillingham, Oldham
Top Scorer: Kevin Davies (30)
Player Of The Year: Matt Ritchie (Bournemouth)

Championship

Champions: Wigan
Promoted: Blackburn, Reading
Relegated: Ipswich, Sheffield Wednesday, Birmingham
Top Scorer: Jordan Rhodes (30)
Player Of The Year: Matej Vydra (Watford)

Premier League

Champions: Tottenham
Champions League: Arsenal, Manchester United, Machester City
Europa League: Stoke, Chelsea, Everton
Relegated: West Ham, Crystal Palace
Top Scorer: Roberto Soldado (25)
Player Of The Year: Erik Lamela (Tottenham)