In our latest Academy column, we hear from U18s boss Neil Critchley as he previews Friday evening's clash with West Ham United and tells us of his plan for the first team's meeting with Everton this weekend.

This Saturday, we are giving the boys a chance to experience the Merseyside derby at Anfield. It is an occasion they can’t wait for and it’s the same for us as coaches. We were originally scheduled to take on West Ham on Saturday but we managed to switch it to the Friday night so we can take the squad to the game. We try and take the lads to as many first-team games as we possibly can. That’s one of the things we are keen on, for our boys to go to Anfield and sit in the arena that one day hopefully they will be playing in on a regular basis. To get the opportunity to see the first team live is always a good thing because they can pick up on some of the points that we are talking to them about. In terms of individuals we can say to the boys watch closely the way such and such plays and watch how he does in your position. Watch the team play, how they work in possession and out of possession. Sometimes you can spot different things when you are at a match live rather than just watching it on the television.

Obviously it’s a big game and the atmosphere will be fantastic as well so we don’t want to miss this opportunity. Two of the lads who were in our team last season in Trent Alexander-Arnold and Ben Woodburn have regularly featured on the bench for the first team. That sends out a huge message because we can talk to our players about opportunity and getting your chance if you are doing well. We were there at Anfield on the night Ben scored that goal against Leeds United in front of the Kop and it was just a brilliant moment.

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Before the boys get the chance to go and watch the derby, our sole focus is to impress once again when we take on West Ham under the Kirkby floodlights (kick-off is at 7pm BST and you can watch the game exclusively live on LFCTV GO). West Ham have been a bit of a bogey team for us in recent times at U18 level. We actually played very well against them last season in London and did everything but win a game that ended in a draw. In previous games they have beaten us and deservedly beaten us, and we haven’t found the formula to overcome them at the moment but hopefully that will change on Friday night. We go into the game in a good frame of mind. We had a really good performance when we beat Manchester City and then drew at Manchester United with 10 men, playing ever so well. And we beat Blackburn Rovers 3-0 in our last game, scoring three good goals and keeping a clean sheet. We are in good form, we know it will be a difficult game against West Ham but, under the lights at home, hopefully we can give a good account of ourselves. If we can do that then hopefully we can get the win that we want and continue our good form in our remaining games.

During the international break a number of young players had the opportunity to join the first-team squad when they went for warm weather training in Tenerife. It was the first trip that Adam Lewis has been a part of and it was a great moment for him. I know just what it meant for him to get that opportunity. Adam was there with Yan Dhanda and a few of the lads from the U23 squad like Matty Virtue, Toni Gomes, Paulo Alves and Nathaniel Phillips. Conor Masterson missed the trip as he was away with Republic of Ireland U19s.

Our message to all of the players when they get an opportunity like that is don’t go there just to make the numbers up. Make yourself known because you have this chance to impress the staff - not just in one session but over a number of days. Make a lasting impression. You only have to look at Ovie Ejaria, who did this last season when he was still in our U18s team. I spoke with Adam at length about it and he had a great experience and a great time. Hopefully he can bring what he learned back to the Academy and use it in his daily training sessions with us. Unfortunately, Adam is now suspended for the next two U18s games following his red card against Manchester United, but this gives other players an opportunity to step up.

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