'Bobby's goal sums up what we're about - I'm so proud'
Barry Lewtas highlighted the unselfishness of Paul Glatzel after Liverpool's captain laid on the final goal for Bobby Duncan during Wednesday's 5-1 win over Bury in the FA Youth Cup quarter-final.
Glatzel has earlier netted twice but, when finding himself clean through late on at Gigg Lane, opted to square for Duncan to slot in rather than going for his hat-trick.
Jake Cain and Rhys Williams were also on the mark as the young Reds sealed a home last-four clash with Watford.
Read on for Lewtas’ verdict on his team’s display, the selflessness of Glatzel and the possibility of facing the Hornets at Anfield...
On Liverpool's performance...
I’m really pleased with the boys. We knew it'd be a tough game. Every tie we've had we've probably been the team that has been expected to win and expected to play a certain way. I thought Bury played well tonight to be fair. It was a really good occasion in front of a lively crowd and a lively pitch as well. It was a job well done tonight.
On a good learning curve for the players with the expectation of being the favourites versus Bury…
We say it time and time again, with being the club we are we expect to be this far in the competition. As these games come in with the demand and the expectation we’ve got to learn to cope with it, and I thought we did a good job out there. When Bury had an extended time with the ball I thought we were well organised and once we found our rhythm our passing was good.
On the final goal...
That’s probably the most pleasing part of the night and it kind of sums up what we are about. Paul is through on goal, one-v-one with the goalkeeper on a hat-trick and he squares it to Bobby to score. That epitomises some of the stuff we have been talking about with the boys internally about playing for the team. That was really evident out there and I’m really proud of that moment. I thought Paul was first class.
Youth Cup highlights: Bury 1-5 Liverpool
On Cain finding the net after pressing and taking advantage of a defensive mistake...
We got one against Stoke City last week through Leighton Clarkson and Eddie Tagseth did it against Blackburn, and now Jake tonight. We talk a lot about trying to press that central player, especially when he has his back to goal. That’s the third one in three games. I thought Jake’s pressing was brilliant, really good in and out of possession.
On the possibility of playing the semi-final at Anfield…
Hopefully it will be Anfield. That would be a great occasion for the boys, so fingers crossed.
On the physical demands of challenging for honours on three fronts during the run-in…
We’ve got a good squad. A few players will have been disappointed to not have made the squad tonight or started the game, but it will be about some of them picking up the baton on Saturday and a huge league game away at Derby County. Then we go to Zagreb for the Youth League last 16 tie on Tuesday. Every game has something on it but what’s exciting is there is something on it for every member of our group now. It makes my job more difficult selection wise, but it’s a nice problem to have.