Liverpool’s Academy Under 18 side stormed in to the quarter-finals of the FA Youth Cup with a 9-0 demolition job over Southend at Anfield.
Raheem Sterling, who turned 16 two months back, netted 5 superbly taken goals.
The reds are now within two rounds of reaching their 4th final in 6 years, having won the trophy in 2006 and 2007, before finishing runners up in 2009.
Liverpool will face either the United of Newcastle or Manchester in the Quarter Finals.
The reds were in fine form all over the park, but it will be Sterling, still at school and resplendent in the number 7 shirt, that will have impressed the watching Kenny Dalglish the most last night at Anfield.
A captain’s penalty in front of the Kop from Conor Coady, and goals from Sama, Morgan and Silva completed the rout.
The changes behind the scenes of the Academy by Rafa Benitez were criticised by many, but the reds academy under the tutelage of the talented Rodolfo Borrell now appear to be swinging a production line in to life, that could benefit the reds over the next decade.
LFC Team: Belford, Flanagan, Robinson, Sama, McGiveron, Coady, Sterling, Roddan, Morgan (Sumner 45), Adorjan (Silva 45), Suso (Banton 64). Subs: Stephens, Regan.
No question – Sterling has talent! But credit also needs to go to some very impressive long passing from midfield (and the keeper for the first) that found him in space.
Biggest question for me though is: with a team of players wearing Liverpool shirts playing so beautifully, why weren’t the stands full? If I lived anywhere near Liverpool I want to be down there watching my future heroes. If only so I could say smugly in a few years time: “Of course Sterling is a star – I’ve known that since I watched him as a 16 year old in Youth Cup”…
this young guy has skills which some of our first team lack. ronaldo like moves pace good dribbler. yes bring him through the ranks. reserves next. good scouting on this kid many other clubs after him.
agreed, maxi is the weakest link in our team, couldn’t score in a brothel with a fistful of fivers
errr. why isnt this guy in our first team? he is about 1000 times better than Maxi. good to see Kenny watching!