AcademyYouth League preview: 'Cannonier scores goals - we have to keep creating chances'
Barry Lewtas has highlighted the qualities of Oakley Cannonier following his hat-trick against AFC Ajax in the UEFA Youth League.
Liverpool U19s currently sit top of Group A following the 2-1 win over Napoli in Italy and a resounding 4-0 defeat of Ajax in Kirkby.
Cannonier has so far netted four goals in the UEFA Youth League and will hope to continue his good form when Rangers visit the the Academy on Tuesday, with kick-off set for 1pm BST.
Read on as Lewtas discusses the recent form of Cannonier and the campaign in Europe…
On the start to the group with wins over Napoli and Ajax…
It has been a really good start. We’ve had two tough games against two good teams and both posed different kinds of problems. Napoli away, we had to play on astroturf, the heat was a factor and they are a tough team to play against. Ajax, they obviously have a reputation of producing players and I thought we were excellent on that particular day. It’s pleasing to win both games and have six points but I think the manner in which we won both games is unbelievably pleasing.
On Cannonier’s hat-trick against Ajax…
Getting a hat-trick in Europe isn’t easy. I think the real beauty, certainly in terms of Oakley’s goals, he’s been the one who has finished off the good attacks we have built. His goal against Napoli, he’s in the right place at the right time to stick it away, and his finishes against Ajax were excellent. I thought we worked the ball up the pitch really well and created some good opportunities. It was an excellent hat-trick and Oakley took his goals really well. I was really pleased for him but also pleased for the team as well because a good striker needs good service, and over the course of the two games I think we’ve been able to do that for Oakley.
On the qualities Cannonier brings to the table…
He scores goals. He is always there to finish, which is the most exciting part of the game. So in fairness to him, he’s looked ever so sharp in the two games he has played for us in Europe. We believe if we work the ball into the right areas and create good opportunities, there is nothing better than having someone who you really believe can tuck the ball away. So far Oakley has done that, and the challenge now for him is to continue to finish off the chances and the challenge for the team is to create for him.
Highlights: Liverpool U19s 4-0 Ajax
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On Cannonier working hard to try to force his way into the Premier League 2 line-up…
I think he is challenging and he is certainly in the reckoning for every game that we play. We have a really busy schedule leading up until the World Cup as we now play Saturday-Tuesday every week, which is great. But obviously it allows us to pick and choose a little bit on who is going to play there and who is going to play then. I wouldn’t say it’s a case of easing Oakley in because he is definitely in the thoughts of every U21s game. At the moment he has been starting in the U19s and doing ever so well.
On the impressive form of 16-year-olds Ben Doak and Trent Kone-Doherty…
For those two lads it’s a little bit different because the team is primarily made up of lads who are in and around our U21s group. It’s never easy sometimes stepping into a new group and they are obviously new boys to this club as well. It’s a fantastic opportunity for them to mix with other players, socially as well, get to know more about the club and certainly experience these type of games. They have both earned a place in the team with the games they have played for the U18s. They have done ever so well, as have other players.
Trent and Ben have been given their opportunity, we saw Lewis Koumas score against Ajax, Ranel Young has featured as well, and they have also done well at U18s level. The real beauty is there is real competition there. Trent and Ben have earned their opportunity, so it’s up to them to keep working hard and keep performing at the levels they have been doing for Bridgey’s U18s team because they are doing ever so well, and also for them to understand there are other players in that group performing well and knocking on the door. I think it’s really healthy competition.
On the challenge of facing Rangers…
It’s not a derby game but when it was drawn out of the hat I certainly think it’s a fixture that brought about a lot of excitement. We are really excited for the game. I think any game involving an England v Scotland team is always going to have that element of football rivalry. We are well aware of what we need to do in terms of the game, in terms how we want to play and approach it, also the temperament that is required to play in a game such as this. We are fortunate that a number of our players are used to this level of game and we’ve got to try to use that experience to suit the way we want to approach the game. It’s going to be a really tough game but we are looking forward to it.
On the versatility of Luke Chambers after playing at centre-half against Ajax…
Luke played at centre-back last season, so it was a position where we knew we could cover. I think it’s really good for him and his career that he is able to move in and be able to play there. It’s good for his development as well when it comes to defending situations that come his way. It can challenge him in different ways. We know he is a real good outlet for us at left-back. Losing Jarell [Quansah] is a blow – there’s no doubt about that – with his quality and his experience, but moving Chambo there and bringing James Norris in at left-back worked well for us. We have got some really good young players at this club and do have that ability to make those changes. I thought Luke was excellent against Ajax. Credit to him.
On Chambers nearly emulating Xabi Alonso by scoring from the halfway line…
That was really unlucky and it was a brilliant effort. The goalkeeper was way out and it was a real shame because it was a great bit of play and he showed real awareness. I’m really pleased with Luke.
On the support from Sir Kenny Dalglish at the Ajax game…
It’s brilliant. We are unbelievably fortunate. Sir Kenny was there with Julian Ward. Vitor [Matos] and Jack Robinson were there supporting the lads. We have had the manager and Pep [Lijnders] down as well. It’s great to have that support from icons of the club. The top balcony was certainly full, which is nice to see.