AcademyMarc Bridge-Wilkinson on derby draw, Newcastle trip and Nyoni request
Marc Bridge-Wilkinson praised the strength of character of his Liverpool U18s side after they twice came from behind to draw 2-2 with Everton in the mini-derby.
Kareem Ahmed and Ranel Young each scored second-half equalisers in Saturday’s clash at Finch Farm, where the young Reds were also denied by several outstanding saves from Blues goalkeeper George Pickford.
With just three games left in 2023-24, the U18s are back in action on Tuesday night when they take on Newcastle United at Whitley Park. Kick-off is 7pm BST and the match will be live on LFCTV GO.
Read on as Bridge-Wilkinson spoke to Liverpoolfc.com following the draw at Everton, including an insight into Trey Nyoni playing the full 90 minutes…
On a really good response from his young side after the preceding heavy defeat by Manchester United…
It was always going to be a tough day after the week that we've had leading into the game and I thought the lads dug at it, they stuck at the game and we had some really good spells. We had some good chances, they had chances of course as well, but overall it was a positive display.
On the players staying calm and keeping cool heads to twice find a way back in the game…
Last week was tough but we just have to focus on improving day by day, each player and collectively as well. We didn't dwell on last week's fixture and we didn't dwell on the result, we came in on the Monday and we moved forwards. Hopefully we are starting to progress again.
On almost winning the derby in stoppage time…
I was pleased with the overall performance that the lads put in. We had a lot of the ball, which is what we want, but we just didn't have that cutting edge at the top end of the pitch. For long spells we had good possession but didn't really affect them. We did have chances but didn't take them and then they were always dangerous on the counter-attack when we lost the ball.
On an impressive display from Ahmed and him getting a deserved goal…
It's nice to see him back and it was nice to see him score. Kareem is starting to get back to the player that we know he is. He has had a few little niggling injuries but hopefully now he is getting there because we know the player he can be.
On a superb impact off the bench from Young, who netted the equaliser and came so close to a winner…
It was really nice to see Ranel get on and get a goal because he has missed a lot of football this season. He looked threatening so that is pleasing. Ranel has had a tough season with the injuries that he has picked up and each time he has came back he has had a setback. Hopefully we can keep him fit between now and the end of the season and he can keep doing what he did when he came on for us.
On a great response from left-back Harry Evers, providing an assist after a little slip allowed Everton in for the first goal…
Mistakes are going to happen. Sometimes they can just get missed in the game because nothing comes from it. I thought Harry reacted really well. He has come on in leaps and bounds since the start of the season and is getting regular game time for us after coming back from injury. It was nice to see him get the assist.
On Nyoni getting the full 90 minutes…
He is still only 16 and he has been doing fantastically well training with the first team and playing for the U21s. The way this week has worked out meant Trey trained with the first team on Friday so missed the U21s game. Trey wanted to play for us, he asked to play and it was great to have him with the group and show people what he can do.
On Tuesday night's trip to Newcastle…
It's a fantastic week for us and great to travel to Newcastle and then on Saturday away at Sunderland. I'd class this as a real week of football for the lads with the travel, lots of recovery, lots of preparation and some real challenges for the players, which is what we want.