AcademyU21s preview: Mini-derby excitement, Blair impact and Bradley's Wembley joy
Liverpool U21s head coach Barry Lewtas highlighted the consistency of his players as a key factor behind an encouraging season of development so far.
Ahead of Sunday’s mini-derby with Everton at Southport FC’s Haig Avenue, the young Reds sit fourth in Premier League 2.
With just four games remaining in the 2022-23 campaign, Lewtas is hoping his side can continue to keep improving and showcasing their talents.
Sunday’s game kicks off at 12pm BST, and supporters can watch the full 90 minutes live on LFCTV and LFCTV GO.
Read on as Lewtas reflects on his side’s form, the challenge of Everton, the potential shown by winger Harvey Blair, and more…
On the exciting 2-2 draw with Brighton & Hove Albion in their last outing…
It was a really good performance. Brighton beat Manchester City on Sunday, so I think that maybe puts into context our performance really because we were disappointed to only draw the game. They, without question, had spells in the game themselves, but obviously conceding late on when we took the lead, and also having a goal disallowed in the way we did, was a little bit disappointing.
U21s highlights: Liverpool 2-2 Brighton
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On how pleased he has been with his team’s development this season…
We have played some great football and we have managed to find a real consistent way of playing. What’s come with that is it has given us a real opportunity to have control of the game, and then we have been able to tweak and improve on certain parts of our game as we have gone along. Overall, over the course of this season, I don’t think there have been many games where we haven’t been a big part of them.
On Sunday’s mini-derby against Everton…
We are really excited as players and staff. It’s always a good game. Everton are a good team with good players, good coaches, they are well organised and have really good strengths to their game. We are really looking forward to the challenge.
On what he feels is key in derby matches…
For us, it’s always the case, first and foremost, our ability to solve the problems that are set for us, and I think we have done that ever so well over the course of the season – both in and out of possession. It’s important for us to get the control of the game, how we want it to be controlled in all phases of it. For us, that has been the recipe for how we’ve played over the course of the season, but we’ll certainly have to problem solve and try to get control of the game.
On the impact of Blair, who scored an excellent goal against Brighton…
Harvey behind the scenes for the last few months has been really good. Unfortunately, he broke his nose recently, which kept him out, and he has been a little bit unlucky with one or two niggles. But when he has been on the pitch he has made a big impact for us, whether that is from the start or off the bench. Hopefully Harvey can finish the season strong now and take that into next season.
On Tom Hill getting more minutes after being out of action for so long…
It’s just great to see Tom out there on the pitch again. He has been so unlucky. Tom has missed a lot of football, so first and foremost it was important to get him back training consistently. He has also had a great experience going away with Wales U21s and being involved in that camp.
For us at the minute, it’s making sure we can introduce him in the games and he’s another one who I’m sure will be looking forward to next season. He’s still got games left this season to be involved in, but the big plan for him is to have a really strong pre-season and then kick on next season.
On Conor Bradley’s loan at Bolton Wanderers and recent Wembley success in lifting the Papa Johns Trophy...
It’s fantastic and everybody at the Academy is delighted for Conor. He has been fantastic for Bolton. He was a real standout performer for us last season in Premier League 2. This season he has kicked on and done ever so well for Bolton.
I think he has played a real big part in their journey this season, which isn’t over yet, as they are doing really well in the league. For Conor, to win a trophy at Wembley in his first loan, and for his family to be there as well, it’s absolutely fantastic. Let’s hope he can continue that for the rest of the season.
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