Jaros got up after a minute or two.
U18s currently 5-2 up against Stoke in the opening game of the season.
Cannonier x2, Frauendorf, Jonas and Balagizi with the goals.
Davies
Bajcetic Jonas Miles Chambers
McConnell Stephenson Balagizi
Davidson Cannonier Frauendorf
Subs: Mrozek; Koumas, Omoruyi, Blair, Roberts
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If he continues scoring at this rate throughout his career, he will be remembered as… Capocannonier. 
I’ll get my coat.
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Surprised to see Davies and Balagzi in the u18s still. Thought with Davies training with the seniors often it was basically him moving to the u23s. Then thought James was too good for this level. Did see he was captain so he is one of the better players anyways
Who are Omoruyi and Koumas
Liverpool U18s came from a goal down to claim a thrilling 5-3 win over Stoke City in their opening match of the U18 Premier League season on Saturday.
Having trailed inside two minutes in Kirkby, efforts either side of half-time from Melkamu Frauendorf and James Balagizi turned the tide back in the young Reds’ favour.
Oakley Cannonier’s quickfire double put the prolific hosts in further command and Lee Jonas added a fifth, meaning Emre Tezgel’s hat-trick for Stoke was immaterial.
The visitors had gone in front with just two minutes on the clock at the Academy.
Matty Lusakueno was the architect, making headway along Stoke’s left-hand side before guiding a ball across the box for Tezgel to finish beyond Harvey Davies.
Marc Bridge-Wilkinson’s Reds shook off the setback to grow into the game as the half progressed, with Frauendorf providing a frequent threat from a wide starting berth – and he brought his team level in the 32nd minute.
U16 player Josh Davidson sparked the attack with a clean tackle in his own half, allowing Balagizi and then Luca Stephenson to feed the ball forward to Frauendorf, who coolly dispatched from inside the box for 1-1.
Stoke almost restored their advantage instantly via the same combination that had produced their early opener. Again Lusakueno set up Tezgel but this time his first-time attempt clattered the post.
Liverpool surged clear on the scoresheet after the interval.
First, Balagizi completed the turnaround on 54, driving through the midfield and subsequently slamming a shot past the goalkeeper once Frauendorf’s initial hit was well stopped.
Cannonier stretched the lead from the penalty spot with an hour gone, Davidson having been felled in the area, and quickly claimed his second and the Reds’ fourth with a finish into the top corner following more incisive approach play and a cutback by Balagizi.
Bridge-Wilkinson’s charges were not satisfied and Jonas got in on the act with an outstanding low effort drilled into the bottom corner to make it 5-1 with little over 15 minutes to play.
Stoke responded in kind and Tezgel helped himself to a hat-trick in the closing stages, converting a spot-kick and then breaking through to send his third of the day past Davies.
But Liverpool’s clinical display earlier in the half had secured the three points and a positive beginning to 2021-22 for the U18s.
Liverpool U18s: Davies, Davidson, Chambers (Roberts, 63), Bajcetic, Jonas, Miles, McConnell (Blair, 74), Stephenson (Omoruyi, 63), Cannonier, Balagizi, Frauendorf.
Unused substitutes: Mrozek, Koumas.
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I think we are just waiting for a space to open up when loans are finalized. Clarkson, for example, will likely leave before the window closes. Balagizi will probably just spend the first couple of months in the 18s, maybe up to January, and then move up full time (just dropping back down for the FA Youth Cup).
We do like players to get some experience of being the leadership group. Balagizi, Stephenson, Jonas, Davies, Frauendorf etc where the 1st year scholars last season - now as second years they are expected to be the leaders of the group similar to how Morton, Ojrzynski, Corness and Stewart were last year.
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Emre Tezgel, who scored the hat trick for Stoke, is one of the best young players in the country. He was top scorer for Stoke U18s last season having barely turned 15. Made his debut at 14 years old.
He’s too young to make my “One To Watch” series this year but he’s sure to be there in future.
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U23s v Man City
Hughes
Gallacher Clayton Koumetio Norris
Morton Corness Dixon-Bonner
Musialowski O’Rourke Woltman
Subs: Kelly; Ritaccio, Stephenson, Chambers,
Pitaliga, Bradley, Beck, Boyes, Wilson, Quansah, Clarkson, Cain, Stewart (injured), Gordon, Bearne, Longstaff all left out.
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What time KO.
Kicked off 20 mins ago, 0-0
update?
Wonder are they looking to loan a good few of the u23s out. Seem to be a weak enough team out.
From the bits on Twitter it’s been backs to the wall most of the second half.
Frequently happens in youth games. I’ve seen it as low as 2 before.
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Liverpool U23s began the new Premier League 2 season by drawing 0-0 with Manchester City at the Academy.
Sunday’s evenly matched contest featured fine saves from goalkeepers Liam Hughes and Cieran Slicker as the sides were forced to settle for a point apiece.
An early surge through midfield from Dominic Corness ended with a shot that was well held by City ‘keeper Slicker.
Elijah Dixon-Bonner tested Slicker before superb defending was needed at the other end as Liverpool captain Tom Clayton - who formed an impressive centre-back partnership with Billy Koumetio - intercepted Luke Bolton’s low cross.
Mateusz Musialowsi then produced a weaving run from his central role to take on the City defence before firing wide, and the Polish forward was later thwarted by Slicker after good work from Tyler Morton and Max Woltman.
Reds stopper Hughes made two excellent saves to deny Cole Palmer in the second half as the game ended in stalemate.
Liverpool U23s: Hughes, Gallacher, Clayton, Koumetio, Norris, Corness, Morton, Dixon-Bonner (Stephenson, 90), Woltman, Musialowski (Ritaccio, 80), O’Rourke (Chambers, 87).
Unused substitutes: Kelly.
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Klopp’s not arsed about the U23s, he’d rather have player in first team training than playing in an U23 match.
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Yeah, I remember when he came in he used to think u23s should be used more as a part of a player’s natural progression like in Germany. But given the level of competition, he quickly realised that loans/ first-team training is much better and now our u23s are used more as a tool to let our u18s get a taste of physicality before they step up to first-team/go out on loan
U23 & U18 Premier League Preview - Episode 13: Chelsea
Ahh, the great loan game is already well underway at Stamford Bridge with nine players under the age of twenty-three out the door and many more sure to follow. In fairness these early loans include players such as Billy Gilmour and Conor Gallagher who do have genuine first team prospects.
The trendsetters on using an academy as a money-making venture, Chelsea have made significant profit this summer (with four weeks left in the window). Marc Guehi, fresh off a strong season at Swansea, has left for Crystal Palace while Pierre Ekwah (West Ham), Dynel Simeu and Valentino Livramento (Southampton), Myles Peart-Harris (Brentford) and Lewis Bate (Leeds) have all rejected new contracts and joined Premier League clubs to take up probable first team roles. Each of those will generate profit when their final compensation payments are worked out - currently estimated at between one and five million per player.
All in all it leaves a picture that is tough to work out. Who will be sent out on loan - Chelsea usually have around thirty players at any one time temporarily at other clubs - and who will be kept? Will anyone get a chance to shine? After the promotions of Reece James, Mason Mount, Tammy Abraham and Callum Hudson-Odoi was viewed as a new start for a youth focused Chelsea, the minutes for new youngsters dropped off a cliff. Are they still interested in following that policy?
| U23 Projected Starters | |
|---|---|
| Pos | |
| GK | Karlo Ziger |
| CB | Sam McClelland |
| CB | Xavier Mbuyamba |
| RB | Dujon Sterling |
| LB | Alex Kpakpe |
| CM | Faustino Anjorin |
| CM | Xavier Simons |
| CM | George McEachran |
| RW | Bryan Solhaug Fiabema |
| LW | Thierno Ballo |
| CF | Jude Soonsup-Bell |
| U18 Projected Starters | |
|---|---|
| Pos | |
| GK | Ted Curd |
| CB | Alfie Gilchrist |
| CB | Brodi Hughes |
| RB | Derrick Abu |
| LB | Luke Badley-Morgan |
| CM | Charlie Webster |
| CM | Harvey Vale |
| CM | Josh Tobin |
| RW | Silko Thomas |
| LW | Lewis Hall |
| CF | Ronnie Stutter |
Players in Profile - Three to Watch in 2021/2022
Faustino Anjorin
- Position: AM
- Age: 19
- Nationality: English
An England U19 international, “Tino” Anjorin is considered the closest prospect for a first team role in the Chelsea youth system although a bout of Covid has limited his appearances in pre-season. A six foot tall, muscular forward player, Anjorin’s build is not typical for a technically focused player but does help him handle the pressure of adult football. He has an aesthetically pleasing languid style, which can often be mistaken as laziness, but actually anyone who watches closely will see that he simply saves his energy for individual moments where he injects bursts of pace and power. Having scored thirty-five goals in eighty-three youth team appearances, Anjorin is now set to build upon his solitary Premier League appearance - if Tuchel has the interest in using him.
Armando Broja (on loan at Southampton)
- Position: CF
- Age: 19
- Nationality: Albanian
English born Albian international Broja is a typical Chelsea style striker. A big bodied, physically robust player who holds the ball up well and brings others into the attack, he follows the procession of forwards from Chelsea lore for whom goalscoring is of secondary importance. Another one of the seemingly endless loan conveyor belt between Chelsea and Vitesse, Broja scored ten times for the Dutch club and returned to Chelsea in pre-season where he impressed in limited early outings. Eventually he was returned to U23 football and will spend this season on loan at Southampton - much to the chagrin of Chelsea fans. The fact this will be his second full season of top flight football - aged just nineteen - should outline his potential.
Jude Soonsup-Bell
- Position: CF
- Age: 17
- Nationality: English
Centre-forward Jude Soonsup-Bell scored eighteen times in sixteen appearances for the U18s last season, having transitioned to the role from his more natural position as a winger. A skilful and explosive dribbler, the England U17 international was far too good for the U18s league in 2020/21 and has already started training with the first team on a regular basis. He is both footed and possesses a quick football brain, allowing him to make unusual runs to confuse opposition defenders. This season he will likely start in the U23 set up where if he can replicate his form from the U18s, he is sure to be close to getting first team chances. The former Swindon youth team player is unlikely to go on loan and will instead stay to train daily with Chelsea’s first team, allowing him more opportunities to prove to Tuchel that good enough does mean old enough.
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