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Good luck to the lad. Hope things work out for him.
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Liverpool have revealed a bit more info about the Caernarfon friendly.
OâRourke (x3), Sheyi Ojo, Max Woltman and Melkamu Frauendorf all scored.
Tom Clayton, Luca Stephenson also played but a full teamsheet was not made available.
Ojrzynskiâs loan to Caernarfon has also been confirmed.
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Jakub also saved a penalty in the game
Team sheet was
Hughes
Norris
Quansah
Clayton
Boyes
Norris
Stephenson
Corness
Woltman
ORourke
Ojo
5-2-3 formation
Weâd better promote James Norris to the first team, pronto. Being able to play two positions at once means we can utilise an extra player elsewhere.
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Who said it was 523? Or was that an assumption based on the personnel? I think Clayton will probably have played in midfield, heâs done it a bunch of times.
Would be an odd move for us to suddenly move to a three at the back system - even in pre-season.
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No thatâs assumption from me but I seen somewhere that Lewtas had experimented with the 3 at the back. But yeah now you say it your probably right, was just thinking that Stephenson is a Defensive mid so Clayton mustnât have been in the middle. But could be wrong
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chambers I mean. Should proof read more lol
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A hat-trick from Oakley Cannonier swept Liverpool U18s to a 3-0 victory over Chester City in their latest pre-season friendly at the Academy.
A young Reds side containing several U16s played the 60-minute match on Saturday.
Cannonier, 17, took the honours with all three goals, two coming from the penalty spot, while the forward - who signed his first professional contract with the club earlier this summer - also hit the crossbar with a header.
Liverpool dominated possession but it took 20 minutes to break down a well-organised Chester side.
Melkamu Frauendorf unlocked the door with his clever pass picking out a darting run from Cannonier, who finished confidently on the turn.
Four minutes later, Cannonier had his second. He moved on to a fine pass from the influential Luca Stephenson and was felled in the box, picking himself up to finish easily past the goalkeeper from the penalty spot.
Midfielder Terence Miles rattled the bar with a fine shot from distance to bring the half to a close.
The second half was just two minutes old when the Reds stretched their lead and Cannonier completed his hat-trick.
Stephenson made yet another run into the box and was clipped, the player trying to stay on his feet but eventually succumbing to gravity. Cannonier stepped up and converted the spot-kick with a minimum of fuss to earn himself the match ball.
He almost had a fourth, turning Stephensonâs cross against the bar, before later heading a fine cross from Luke Chambers just past the post.
Stephenson had the ball in the net only to be denied by the assistant refereeâs flag while the Chester 'keeper also pulled off a fine reaction save from the midfielder to keep the final score to three.
From Andy Kelly.
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@Sweeting will you be doing one of your usual reviews of the youth teams and how the players stack up? I always look forward to your writeups on them!
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I will, Iâm doing a âThree to Watchâ from every team and then a player-by-player breakdown of Liverpoolâs U23 and U18s.
Probably be ready in a couple of weeks.
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U18s beat Chester 3-0. Oakley Cannonier with a hattrick.
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I bet his shots cannoned into the back of the net
Canât wait!
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U23 & U18 Premier League Preview - Episode 1: Arsenal
Arsenal Youth Preview 2021/2022
Arsenalâs match results may not be impressive but they have been successful in pushing players into the first team in recent years with the likes of Bukayo Saka, Ainsley Maitland-Niles, Reiss Nelson, Emile Smith Rowe, Eddie Nketiah and Joe Willock all earning meaningful game time over the past couple of seasons. The good news for them is that the well is still not empty.
Starting pre-season ahead of most other clubs, Arsenal have already opened the door to more youthful talent with Omari Giraud-Hutchinson and Jack Henry-Francis both being promoted from the U18s and appearing in the opening friendlies. There could also be surprise first team action for U23 captain Harry Clarke and defender Omar Rekik although getting them out on loan is more the likely avenue.
Being a Division 2 side in the U23s is a bit of an embarrassment for a club like Arsenal but what they have shown over recent years - possibly as a result of struggles at first team level - is that they have one of the most fluid routes to the primetime of any Premier League club and I would expect more appearances for homegrown talent this year.
| U23 Projected Starters | |
|---|---|
| Pos | |
| GK | Karl Hein |
| CB | Jonathan Dinzeyi |
| CB | Omar Rekik |
| RB | Ryan Alebiosu |
| LB | Joel Lopez |
| CM | Tim Akinola |
| CM | Ben Cottrell |
| CM | Miguel Azeez |
| RW | Omari Hutchinson |
| LW | Kido Taylor-Hart |
| CF | Folarin Balogun |
| U18 Projected Starters | |
|---|---|
| Pos | |
| GK | Remy Mitchell |
| CB | Zane Monlouis |
| CB | Zach Awe |
| RB | Brooke Norton-Cuffy |
| LB | Henry Jeffcott |
| CM | Mauro Bandeira |
| CM | Jack Henry-Francis |
| CM | Ismail Oulad MâHand |
| RW | Marcelo Flores |
| LW | Billy Vigar |
| CF | Khayon Edwards |
Players in Profile - Three to Watch in 2021/2022
Folarin Balogun
- Position: CF
- Age: 20
- Nationality: English
Danny Welbeck was an electric striker blessed with blistering pace and a high scoring record at youth level but a bit of weakness in his technical ability in terms of his touch and finesse⌠That basically sums up Balogun and is probably part of the reason why at 20 years old he still hasnât played a major part in Arsenalâs first team squad. However, that may be about to change as he signed a new 5 year deal this winter after rejecting interest from right across Europe. Balogun may not be the most refined player you will ever see but his scoring record is indisputable - he may become a valuable asset particularly in counter attacking situations where his pace would shine. Welbeck is stylistically similar and, in my opinion, is also a good barometer of his upside - a solid and versatile if unspectacular Premier League forward.
Miguel Azeez
- Position: DM
- Age: 18
- Nationality: English
Whatâs not to like here? Azeez is a cultured midfielder with a talent for playing the âlong gameâ - long passes and long shots. Usually deployed as a deep lying midfielder, he is capable of breaking up play and spraying passes in a similar way to Xabi Alonso; not necessarily throwing himself into tackles but maneuvering his body to pinch the ball off others toes. A player who always seems to have two yards of space, his passes are aesthetically pleasing with a low trajectory allowing him to easily reach all corners of the pitch, a potent attacking weapon. When he does get into advanced areas he hits the ball sweetly, with little back lift. Azeez is a very fun player to watch and I hope he gets to display that this coming season on a regular basis.
Omari Giraud-Hutchinson
- Position: RW
- Age: 18
- Nationality: English
Winger may not be high on the list of needs for Arsenal at the moment but if one academy player is capable of competing for a more regular role it is Omari Giraud-Hutchinson. Left-footed right winger who has also seen game time on the opposite flank, the number 10 position and at left-back. At first team he projects most likely as a winger due to his blistering pace and quick, tricky feet (his favourite move is to drive on the outside of the defender then quickly âchopâ back inside and take a shot on before the goalkeeper can get set). He also has a lanky frame and dribbling style that reminds me of Steve McManaman. He was the outstanding player for the U18s last season, scoring and assisting 9 times each. That kind of form has seen him accelerated into the pre-season squad and he will likely expect to feature in any cup games.
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A Max Woltman hat-trick was the highlight as Liverpool U18s saw off Plymouth Argyle 6-1 in their latest pre-season friendly at Kirkby today.
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U23 & U18 Premier League Preview - Episode 2: Wolverhampton Wanderers
Wolves Youth Preview 2021/22
Wolves have come a long way as a club in a short space of time. Their relationship with super-agent Jorge Mendes has led to the not-undeserved title of âLittle Portugalâ and theyâve continued to build upon it with this yearâs signing of Trincao.
At youth level, it is fair to say the academy is still catching up with the progress. Morgan Gibbs-White stalled when he reached the first team and it has been difficult to get many to follow his path with the minutes going to young players who have been bought in such as Pedro Neto, Fabio Silva, Rayan Ait Nouri and Ki-Jana Hoever.
However, gradually this could be changing as a few talented prospects finally look to be emerging directly from the youth set up. Dion Sanderson impressed at Sunderland last season and has already headed out to Birmingham for the coming year while, in the U18s, Temple Ojinnaka became a regular at just fifteen years old. U18 captain, Ollie Tipton, got eight goals from centre back as a schoolboy.
Leading the charge for first team action in 21/22 however are the trio of Owen Otasowie, Theo Corbeanu and Lewis Richards.
| U23 Projected Starters | |
|---|---|
| Position | |
| GK | Andreas Sondergaard |
| CB | Lewis Richards |
| CB | Pascal Juan Estrada |
| RB | Luke Matheson |
| LB | Hugo Bueno |
| CM | Luke Cundle |
| CM | Taylor Perry |
| CM | Owen Otasowie |
| RW | Lee Harkin |
| LW | Conor Carty |
| CF | Austin Samuels |
| U18 Projected Starters | |
|---|---|
| Position | |
| GK | Palmi Rafn Arinbjornsson |
| CB | Ollie Tipton |
| CB | Justin Hubner |
| RB | Harry Birtwhistle |
| LB | Aaron Keto-Diyawa |
| CM | Ackeme Francis-Burrell |
| CM | Temple Ojinnaka |
| CM | Dylan Scicluna |
| RW | Tyler Roberts |
| LW | Ty Barnett |
| CF | Owen Farmer |
Players in Profile - Three to Watch in 2021/2022
Owen Otasowie
- Position: DM
- Age: 20
- Nationality: American
Owen Otasowie is a versatile American midfielder who also has the ability to drop into centre back, particularly in a three man defence system. He is a physically imposing figure, gifted athlete who has had no problems with the demands of Premier League football in his brief cameos to date. Although often deployed as a central defender in the Wolvesâ U23 team, he has a tendency to throw himself into tackles which makes a shielding midfield role fit his skillset more readily at Premier League level. He isnât exactly quick but he has long legs which allow him to cover ground effectively. Otasowie has reportedly impressed new manager Bruno Lage in pre-season and will hope to build on his 185 Premier League minutes in 20/21.
Theo Corbeanu (on loan to Sheffield Wednesday)
- Position: RW
- Age: 19
- Nationality: Canadian
Canadian international Corbeanu made his Wolves debut last season and the talented winger has every chance to get more opportunities this coming year. Although he is missing from Wolvesâ pre-season tour (due to being in the Canadian National team at the Gold Cup) he will have time this season to impress his new coaching staff. Versatile enough to play across the frontline but he is most comfortable as a right winger where he uses skill and his two-footedness to beat defenders, rather than relying on pace. He scored seven goals last season from a wide position and will now be given his first chance at first team football in a season long loan spell at Sheffield Wednesday.
Lewis Richards
- Position: CB
- Age: 19
- Nationality: Irish
Having won the Wolves Academy Player of the Year award last season and managing to make the bench ten times, defender Lewis Richards looks set to breakthrough at Wolves in the near future (if he doesnât head on loan). The Irish U21 international has signed a professional contract and is strongly tipped to compete for a first team position having received high praise from various senior members of the Wolves staff. As a left sided centre back with good technical and aerial traits he is a very similar type of player to another Wolves graduate, Joleon Lescott. Although there is a definite increase in the number of left footed defenders coming through English academies, it is still a fairly rare trait and gives Richards a great opportunity to follow in the footsteps of Lescott as his career develops.
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Dixon-Bonner back with Liverpool after the end of his trial at Portsmouth. No plans for Pompey to offer him a contract currently.
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What do you think his level is?
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Hard to say really as he hasnât ever established himself as a regular in the U23s (he plays a lot but gets moved around from central midfield out to the wide roles and even full back) and he has never been on loan. He also seems to have some issues with fitness and playing full length games.
In terms of his skill set I think heâs actually a really useful player. Heâs athletic, quick, strong, good passer (I like him as a Wijnaldum type midfielder) but something does seem to keep holding him back. He could probably be a starter in League Two next season with his ceiling that of a Championship level player.
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