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Ablett's Challenge To Youngsters, 12th March 2009

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view post Posted on 12/3/2009, 17:00




Gary Ablett has challenged his reserve team to show their true capabilities in the final six games of the season, starting with tonight's encounter with Manchester United at the Halliwell Jones Stadium, live on LFC TV from 7pm GMT.

Kick-off is at 7.30pm and you can also watch the match live online with our fantastic e-Season Ticket service.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side are fifth in the table while Liverpool are second from bottom in the Barclays Premier Reserve League North table.

Ablett's team have the same number of points as bottom placed Hull City but the Tigers have a goal difference of minus nine as opposed to the Reds minus two.

"We are massively looking forward to this match because we haven't played a competitive game for around a month," Ablett told Liverpoolfc.tv.

"Last season we had about 12,000 people at the Halliwell Jones Stadium for this fixture so hopefully there will be a good crowd again.

"What I am looking for in our boys is an improvement in performance from all of the players. We need to try and win every game.

"Can we win all six and can we play well at the same time? That is our ultimate aim.

"It's a massive three months for the players I have in the reserve team squad. They need to keep progressing the right way, and they need to be looking over their shoulder because the Academy boys are coming up quick to challenge them.

"Hughie McAuley has got the nucleus of a very good side at U18 level. You don't get to an FA Youth Cup semi-final with a poor team and they have ability. We need to get one or two of them up here in the coming months with a view to next year."

In the friendly encounter with American MLS champions Columbus Crew last week, Academy graduates David Amoo and 15-year-old Andre Wisdom appeared as second half substitutes to make their first appearance for the second string, and Ablett said: "It's important to get these players involved because we need to start looking at the younger ones.

"Andre is very young but he could have quite possibly a bright future. We didn't put pressure on him and we just wanted to see if he could cope in that environment which he did. Our first impressions are really good with him and we will be patient with Andre.

"David has got something that not many players have modern day and that is pace and a willingness to take defenders on and get crosses into the box.

"It was tough for him against Columbus as he was up against a player who has experience of playing in the Championship for QPR.

"Both players acquitted themselves very well and we will monitor their situation and others in the coming weeks."

Meanwhile on the injury front, Krisztian Nemeth could return to action for next Tuesday's trip to Wigan Athletic after recovering from a fractured cheekbone sustained on loan at Blackpool.

"Krisztian is coming along very nicely," he said.

"He has trained with us for the past week but because of the location of his injury we've been reluctant to have him involved in any contact.

"He won't be ready for this game but we are hoping to have him available for next Tuesday's trip to Wigan."

It has been a great week for Ablett and his squad. After seeing Jay Spearing make a Champions League appearance against Real Madrid on Monday, Dutch winger Vincent Weijl also experienced life at a higher level when he was invited to train with the first team squad at Melwood.

"Albert Riera was suspended so Rafa wanted another wide left player to train so Vincent fitted that bill," he said.

"It's always nice to give the young lads a boost. This is Vincent's first season in England and he's still finding his feet and settling in.

"It was nice for him and I spoke with Sammy Lee who was quite pleased with his contribution."
 
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