Yes its nice to see players, particularly scouse players, coming tbrough the youth system. So as Kenny has praised Rafa Benitez for his role in the youth set up, i will too.
On a wider point regarding your article it is a bit silly to compare the squads of 2009 and 2011. Do you really think that Kenny would not play Hyppia, Alonso, Mascherano, Riera, Benayoun et al if they were at the club? Kenny played Torres enough in the few weeks he had available. He also plays Pepe, Lucas, Kuyt, Agger, Johnson etc. Its just silly to compare squads when so many of them had to be sold. Likewise it is the current lack of squad depth and injuries that has afforded Spearing and Kelly their extended spells in the side and more recent injuries have also meant we’ve had to rely on Robinson and Flannagan too. Incidentally Benitez gave debuts to Spearing, Kelly and Robinson as well as other youth/reserve players so ive no doubt that they would have featured under Benitez too given the injury crisis. Fortunately the lads have done great and we’re all pleased on that score. But to understand how Kenny wants to shape his team we need to see his recruitment plans beyond one rushed and frantic january window. So far he’s only bought 2 players one English, one Uraguyan. Kenny has said that he is pleased with the progress of some of the current youth, that Segundo and Borrell are doing a great job but also that he hopes to add new recruits if the quality is right to improve the team. And whilst its great to see scousers, Borrel in particular has stressed the importance of this whilst under Rafa, it is player quality not their place of birth that will count. My guess is that we will see a lot of activity in the summer and a number of players from different nationalities. But lets look forward heh? No point looking back at 2009 anymore…

We need to thank Rafa once again for the great youth system he left in place for the likes of Kenny to reap the benefits!

Thanks Rafa!

Flanagan, Robinson, Spearing, and lucas have looked good lately, they can save us loads of money, but can they keep this consistency? Won’t they crackdown due to inexperience if left alone like the arsenal players? Caragher and kuyt have been of great help on the right, and meireles on the left to these youngsters. They’ve done pretty good against good and rapid players of city and arsenal.
But for me the real test for these youngsters will be when they play against spurs, if they can cope with the last motor like lennon, then no doubt they’ll need to have only a very bad day to avoid them a place in the team. Who knows the next Fortress will comprise of:
…………..Reina…………….
Flanagan.Kelly..Wilkinson..robinson
And have gerard as the defensive midfielder, coz i really want him in the team as the leader, but due to his injuries and ageing, we now better have meireles play in the role of attacking midfielder which gerard was formerly occupying.

few are more committed to the Redmen’s cause as Sammy Lee. He played with the best and was often underrated for his contribution for the team. As a Manager though he did not cut it, and clearly jumped at the chance to return to Anfield when Rafa invited him. They made a pair at Melwood and on the bench, always sitting side by side. Rafa went and in came Roy. Much, I suspect to his surprise, Roy kept Sammy on as some form of continuity between the old (Rafa) and the new (himself), and also because Sammy has such an intimate knowledge of the place. The season began and Sammy was at Roys side on the bench on game days. When Roy went in came Steve Clarke and from that time I have ben unable to work out what Sammy might now be getting paid for? He has no clearly visible game day role. Kenny rarely acknowledges him and for me the `pairing’ now is Kenny and Steve (and long may that continue). NESV and now FSG has said consistently how horrified it has been at the `excess’ of Roy’s signings in financial terms and would look at all avenues to reduce this. Which brings me back to Sammy. The Redmen have specialised coaches in all areas and also Lee is not our head coach. It would be a hard job for Kenny to sack a long, long stading mate and friend but in the hard nosed financial world we now live in, I suspect that decision might be only weeks away.

I’ve said it lots of time before, and facts speak for itself, he was one of the reason of or downfall even since rafa’s era. He was training and making our players play like Bolton style, thats why we’ve been losing easy games. He was doing the coaching, and deciding about stats, and players to be substituted , advised to the manager, and rafa/roy pays for his mistakes while he is still kept at the club. Thats why i never missed an opportunity and whenever i hail dalgish i never forget steve clarke who has done a great job with our team, any good manager needs a good assistant, and we’ve been lacking that ever since Pako left.
I do belive its high time we get rid of sammy lee and give clarke a new contract before another club get hold of him.