U21s in 2-0 defeat to Southampton.
2014/15: Young Guns, Reserves and Academy
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It's not too uncommon for a young CBs to find consistent playing time as a full-back at first and then switch to CB later in their career. Carra did it, Sergio Ramos did it, as well as Bayern's Boateng and Badstuber, United's Smalling etc. I don't think you "ruin" a top CB prospect by playing him at FB; if you're good enough your quality will shine through and as a bonus you can pick up new useful skills playing in another position.
If Wisdom doesn't make it here, it might be due to the typical young players' curse of being physically dominant too early – then a few years later your peers' physique catches up and turns out they have also developed some mean skills, while you were relying too much on your physique... I'm not saying this is necessarily the case with Wisdom, I'm just saying that's a typical story for young players. So if your top youth team prospect in a given position doesn't make it, it doesn't rule out the #2 and #3 guy making it. I doubt Carra was considered a top prospect in his youth days.
U21s playing West Ham now. Stream here:
http://www.vipleague.tv/football/29...s-west-ham-united-u21-live-stream-online.html
http://www.vipleague.tv/football/29...s-west-ham-united-u21-live-stream-online.html
Excellently-taken goal by Kevin Stewart. 1-0 to our lads.
2 - 0 now, McLaughlin. Wilson's touch, Smith's pace, poor defending by West Ham, easy finish for McLaughlin.
If I remember correctly, the West Ham U21s gave our lads difficult games last season, scoring with set pieces a few times. They're supposedly on the verge of relegation in this season's reserve league. They've been terrible so far.
If I remember correctly, the West Ham U21s gave our lads difficult games last season, scoring with set pieces a few times. They're supposedly on the verge of relegation in this season's reserve league. They've been terrible so far.
Nice team work, Brannagan scores after being set up by Canos. 3 - 0 now. We've just been pretty much unstoppable when we pushed forward. Should be at least 5 goals up by now but for a bit of stray finishing or a final pass being a bit off.
Oops, there goes the stream so it's bedtime at last then.
Won 5-0, with some fantastic goals. This sends us to second position in the U21s table, trailing Man Utd U21s, but with a game in hand.
U18s beat Leicester 3-2. Don't have a highlights clip yet but here's our 3 goals:
Ovie Ejaria 1-0 - nice footwork, with a touch of luck at the beginning
Callum Nicholas 2-0 - wonderful pass by Dhanda
Wade Maxwell 3-2 - shit keeping
Ovie Ejaria 1-0 - nice footwork, with a touch of luck at the beginning
Callum Nicholas 2-0 - wonderful pass by Dhanda
Wade Maxwell 3-2 - shit keeping
U18s 3-2 Leicester. Very young team out there;
Jack Dunn and Kevin Stewart going on loan to Burton Albion (League Two). Have to say I'm disappointed that Dunn's not gone to at least a League One club. Well, at least they're top of League Two, and Dunn will be be coached by a former top level striker.
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Liverpool FC can confirm that Academy duo Kevin Stewart and Jack Dunn have today joined Burton Albion on month-long loan deals.
Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink is the current boss at the Pirelli Stadium - and the former Chelsea man has steered Burton to the top of the League Two standings.
Stewart, a flexible full-back from London, who arrived at Liverpool's Academy last summer, joins the Brewers on a standard loan deal.
Dunn, meanwhile, a powerful forward who scored for the senior side during their May 2014 friendly against Shamrock Rovers, moves on a youth loan.
Both players have been out on loan already this year. Together with teammate Lloyd Jones, they spent time at Cheltenham Town in January.
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Meanwhile, Jordan Lussey goes to Bolton on loan.
Liverpool U21s midfielder Jordan Lussey has today completed a loan switch to Championship side Bolton Wanderers until the end of the season.
The 20-year-old has been with the Reds for more than a decade and will now look to increase his first-team experience with Neil Lennon's side.
Bolton, who took Brendan Rodgers' team to an FA Cup replay earlier this year, are currently 17th in their division with seven matches remaining of the campaign.
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Liverpool FC can confirm that Academy duo Kevin Stewart and Jack Dunn have today joined Burton Albion on month-long loan deals.
Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink is the current boss at the Pirelli Stadium - and the former Chelsea man has steered Burton to the top of the League Two standings.
Stewart, a flexible full-back from London, who arrived at Liverpool's Academy last summer, joins the Brewers on a standard loan deal.
Dunn, meanwhile, a powerful forward who scored for the senior side during their May 2014 friendly against Shamrock Rovers, moves on a youth loan.
Both players have been out on loan already this year. Together with teammate Lloyd Jones, they spent time at Cheltenham Town in January.
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Meanwhile, Jordan Lussey goes to Bolton on loan.
Liverpool U21s midfielder Jordan Lussey has today completed a loan switch to Championship side Bolton Wanderers until the end of the season.
The 20-year-old has been with the Reds for more than a decade and will now look to increase his first-team experience with Neil Lennon's side.
Bolton, who took Brendan Rodgers' team to an FA Cup replay earlier this year, are currently 17th in their division with seven matches remaining of the campaign.
Meanwhile, Yesil and Kent expected back soon.
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Michael Beale has reported positive news on the fitness of U21s duo Ryan Kent and Samed Yesil, who could each be in line to clock up minutes against Fulham next month.
Yesil's Liverpool career to date has been a frustrating tale of injury, with a succession of issues limiting the German striker's chances to show off his goalscoring prowess.
Two first-team appearances have come his way since a 2012 transfer from Bayer Leverkusen, but a carefully managed rehabilitation in the coming months may help to increase that tally.
Beale told Liverpoolfc.com: "Samed has been back in for about 10 days now. After such a long time out, he hasn't got that core fitness. But we're hoping by the Fulham game, he'll be ready to play some minutes.
"We want him to get a good three or four months of playing and a good pre-season in him, to show his own potential. His finishing is probably second-to-none in our group at U21s."
That Fulham contest on Tuesday April 7 could also involve Kent, who turned in a series of thrilling performances domestically and in Europe in the first half of the season.
His own injury arrived at a particularly inappropriate time, according to Beale, with clubs keen to take the tricky attacker on loan at the height of his incisive displays.
The U21s manager said: "Ryan is a really exciting player and can play in a number of positions. We can't rush him; we're hoping he can get some minutes in the Fulham game.
"When he got injured we were devastated for him because at the time Ryan was getting quite a bit of interest in terms of going out on loan and was a star player in the U21s."
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Michael Beale has reported positive news on the fitness of U21s duo Ryan Kent and Samed Yesil, who could each be in line to clock up minutes against Fulham next month.
Yesil's Liverpool career to date has been a frustrating tale of injury, with a succession of issues limiting the German striker's chances to show off his goalscoring prowess.
Two first-team appearances have come his way since a 2012 transfer from Bayer Leverkusen, but a carefully managed rehabilitation in the coming months may help to increase that tally.
Beale told Liverpoolfc.com: "Samed has been back in for about 10 days now. After such a long time out, he hasn't got that core fitness. But we're hoping by the Fulham game, he'll be ready to play some minutes.
"We want him to get a good three or four months of playing and a good pre-season in him, to show his own potential. His finishing is probably second-to-none in our group at U21s."
That Fulham contest on Tuesday April 7 could also involve Kent, who turned in a series of thrilling performances domestically and in Europe in the first half of the season.
His own injury arrived at a particularly inappropriate time, according to Beale, with clubs keen to take the tricky attacker on loan at the height of his incisive displays.
The U21s manager said: "Ryan is a really exciting player and can play in a number of positions. We can't rush him; we're hoping he can get some minutes in the Fulham game.
"When he got injured we were devastated for him because at the time Ryan was getting quite a bit of interest in terms of going out on loan and was a star player in the U21s."
Dhanda living upto his hype
Ryan Kent @ryankent_10 52m52 minutes ago
Happy To Announce I Have Extended My Professional Contract With Liverpool Football Club @LFC @NikeUK
Happy To Announce I Have Extended My Professional Contract With Liverpool Football Club @LFC @NikeUK
Ryan Kent @ryankent_10 52m52 minutes ago
Happy To Announce I Have Extended My Professional Contract With Liverpool Football Club @LFC @NikeUK
Excellent news.
Ryan Kent @ryankent_10 52m52 minutes ago
Happy To Announce I Have Extended My Professional Contract With Liverpool Football Club @LFC @NikeUK
All I can see is that watch on his wrist.
Good on the kid n all, but Jesus lord fuck that thing is woeful.
Just a bit eh? 16 and already looking like he's the most creative player out there.
U21s playing Fulham in 30 minutes' time I believe. Can't find any streams for it though.
Liverpool FC ✔ @LFC Follow
Confirmed #LFCU21 team v Fulham: Vigouroux, Randall, Enrique, Cleary, Maguire, Chirivella, McLaughlin, O’Hanlon, Sinclair, Brannagan, Canos
8:57 PM - 7 Apr 2015
Liverpool FC ✔ @LFC Follow
Confirmed #LFCU21 team v Fulham: Vigouroux, Randall, Enrique, Cleary, Maguire, Chirivella, McLaughlin, O’Hanlon, Sinclair, Brannagan, Canos
8:57 PM - 7 Apr 2015
Moussa Dembele up front for Fulham looks really promising. Read that we were interested in him a couple of years back; not sure if we're still tracking him.
http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/liverpool-striker-samed-yesil-lost-9001725
Liverpool striker Samed Yesil has lost none of his goalscoring instincts as he returns from injury nightmare
11:30, 8 April 2015
By Andy Kelly
German youth international returns for U21s and still has ability to attract ball in the box
Samed Yesil has lost none of his goalscoring instincts as he returned to Liverpool’s U21 team in their defeat to Fulham yesterday.
The German youth international was back in the squad after two years of injury hell after rupturing two cruciate ligaments within a year.
One of four players signed by Brendan Rodgers in his first summer at Anfield, the road back and has been long and frustrating – with other niggles also slowing his progress – but Liverpool U21’s manager Michael Beale is convinced he has lost none of his feel for goal in his protracted absence.
Yesil, 20, played half an hour in the 2-1 defeat to Fulham at Chester on Tuesday afternoon, with two half chances coming his way in the box but the Londoner’s goalkeeper Marek Rodan prevented it being a goalscoring return, blocking one effort and recovering well as Yesil pounced on his spill from Sergi Canos’ shot.
Beale told the ECHO: “With Samed, when you get your body back, those little other little things go as well. He’s looked better coming back this time than the previous time so that’s hopeful. I know today, he looks a little bit off it but he still has his one chance and if it goes in everyone is calling him a hero.
“He is that sort of player, around the box things just tend to fall to him, no-one really knows why but that is the mystique of a centre forward.”
Yesil signed for Liverpool for around £1m from Bayer Leverkusen, making two appearances in the Capital One Cup in autumn 2012.
It was a day of returns at Chester with 18-year-old winger Ryan Kent – fresh from signing a new pro contract with the Reds – also playing almost a full half as he came back from a back injury which has kept him out since before Christmas.
American Marc Pelosi was also an unused substitute yesterday but is ready to play. The left-footed midfielder, 20, returned around this time last year after a broken leg kept him out for 14 months but after around six months back he suffered a less serious knee injury which has kept him out for a few months.
He captained the USA in the U17 World Cup in 2011 and has already been to team camps with the full USA national team.
Beale said: “It was really good to see Ryan Kent back today but he probably got on earlier than we’d expect because Ryan McLaughlin – who was playing particularly well – has to come off injured. Then obviously the same with Samed, it’s lovely to have them boys back. We didn’t use Marc Pelosi today but he’s ready now as well.
“Ryan Kent has been out for a long time with a back injury. The plan was maybe to get a friendly where we could play him 45 minutes and we did that inhouse. You can see Ryan’s exciting, he had a wonderful moment where he goes outside and just misses.”
Liverpool striker Samed Yesil has lost none of his goalscoring instincts as he returns from injury nightmare
11:30, 8 April 2015
By Andy Kelly
German youth international returns for U21s and still has ability to attract ball in the box
Samed Yesil has lost none of his goalscoring instincts as he returned to Liverpool’s U21 team in their defeat to Fulham yesterday.
The German youth international was back in the squad after two years of injury hell after rupturing two cruciate ligaments within a year.
One of four players signed by Brendan Rodgers in his first summer at Anfield, the road back and has been long and frustrating – with other niggles also slowing his progress – but Liverpool U21’s manager Michael Beale is convinced he has lost none of his feel for goal in his protracted absence.
Yesil, 20, played half an hour in the 2-1 defeat to Fulham at Chester on Tuesday afternoon, with two half chances coming his way in the box but the Londoner’s goalkeeper Marek Rodan prevented it being a goalscoring return, blocking one effort and recovering well as Yesil pounced on his spill from Sergi Canos’ shot.
Beale told the ECHO: “With Samed, when you get your body back, those little other little things go as well. He’s looked better coming back this time than the previous time so that’s hopeful. I know today, he looks a little bit off it but he still has his one chance and if it goes in everyone is calling him a hero.
“He is that sort of player, around the box things just tend to fall to him, no-one really knows why but that is the mystique of a centre forward.”
Yesil signed for Liverpool for around £1m from Bayer Leverkusen, making two appearances in the Capital One Cup in autumn 2012.
It was a day of returns at Chester with 18-year-old winger Ryan Kent – fresh from signing a new pro contract with the Reds – also playing almost a full half as he came back from a back injury which has kept him out since before Christmas.
American Marc Pelosi was also an unused substitute yesterday but is ready to play. The left-footed midfielder, 20, returned around this time last year after a broken leg kept him out for 14 months but after around six months back he suffered a less serious knee injury which has kept him out for a few months.
He captained the USA in the U17 World Cup in 2011 and has already been to team camps with the full USA national team.
Beale said: “It was really good to see Ryan Kent back today but he probably got on earlier than we’d expect because Ryan McLaughlin – who was playing particularly well – has to come off injured. Then obviously the same with Samed, it’s lovely to have them boys back. We didn’t use Marc Pelosi today but he’s ready now as well.
“Ryan Kent has been out for a long time with a back injury. The plan was maybe to get a friendly where we could play him 45 minutes and we did that inhouse. You can see Ryan’s exciting, he had a wonderful moment where he goes outside and just misses.”
http://www.theguardian.com/football/2015/apr/08/joao-teixeira-liverpool-brighton-loan-steven-gerrard
João Teixeira: ‘Brighton has been good but my dream is to play for Liverpool’
The young and highly-rated Portuguese midfielder is determined to make it at Anfield having shone while on loan at the south coast club
Sachin Nakrani
@SachinNakrani
Wednesday 8 April 2015 15.24 BST
Last modified on Wednesday 8 April 2015 17.57 BST
Sat inside an interview room at Brighton’s sprawling training base in Lancing, João Teixeira is answering the questions put to him politely and calmly. Suddenly he lights up. His eyes widen and a smile spreads across his face. He leans forward and for the first time on a crisp morning in West Sussex, the young man located at the other side of the table truly looks alive.
“We were in the hotel in Kensington and I didn’t expect to be on the bench,” Teixeira says. “I was on the list a lot of times before but I was never on the bench. But this time I was on the bench, it was my first time and I was very excited.”
Teixeira is recollecting the one and only first-team appearance he has made for Liverpool, his parent club. It came as an 82nd-minute substitute away at Fulham last February. The score was 2-2 at the time with Brendan Rodgers’ team coming from behind twice at a point in the season when belief was growing that they could mount a genuine title challenge. What happened next cemented their credentials and Teixeira, positioned on the left flank after replacing a certain Raheem Sterling, played a key role.
“I passed the ball to [Daniel] Sturridge that led to the penalty,” he recalls as his eyes widen further and that smile becomes more pronounced.
Sturridge was hacked down in the area by Sascha Riether and from the resulting spot-kick deep into second-half stoppage time, Steven Gerrard secured all three points for Liverpool. It was a big moment, reflected by the way Gerrard ripped off his shirt and swung it in celebration in front of the delirious away support. Soon he was being mobbed by his team-mates, including Teixeira. Life as a Premier League football could not have begun much better.
“I enjoyed it as much as I could, it was great,” remembers the 22-year-old. “It was my debut in the Premier League, which is something you dream of, and it went well and we won the game, so I was very happy. Very satisfied.”
That Teixeira cameo had indeed gone well and as Liverpool’s pursuit of a first championship in 24 years gathered momentum (before ultimately hitting a brick wall) he thought Rodgers would give him another chance to impress. But while he continued to find a place on Liverpool’s bench, the Portuguese never again made it on to the pitch and instead returned to play for the club’s Under-21 side, for whom he has regularly featured since arriving from Sporting Lisbon in 2012.
A little over a year on from that appearance against Fulham, however, Teixeira feels confident he can again be a presence in Liverpool’s first team given the way he has performed while on a season-long loan at Brighton.
In total, Teixeira has scored six goals in 33 appearances for Brighton, making him their second-highest goalscorer behind Lewis Dunk. There have also been four assists, the joint-highest of any player. Those may not be startling statistics, but given this is Teixeira’s first season at Brighton and it has come at a time when the club have consistently struggled in the Championship – they are currently 19th and on their second manager after Chris Hughton replaced Sami Hyypia in December – he can be deemed to have done well.
What the numbers also do not show is Teixeira’s general level of performance, which has been high. He is a well balanced and highly technical, two-footed midfielder. A creative menace who has been likened to the former Portugal and Barcelona midfielder Deco and looks a cut above Championship level.
“I have a lot of trust in myself, in my capacity, so I always thought I could do well in the Championship,” says Teixeira, who also had brief loan spell at Brentford last season. “The formation has become different [since Hughton replaced Hyypia] but what both managers asked me to do is very similar – to play behind the striker, look for space, assist, pass, get in the box and score goals. Overall to be creative, which is what I like to do.”
Residing on the south coast has been easy for Teixeira to adjust to given he comes from Braga, Portugal’s third largest city but a place which, he says, “is similar to Brighton; not that big, with nice restaurants and a beach”. But while the surroundings have been idyllic, life on the pitch has been anything but as a team used to chasing promotion in recent seasons has had to focus instead on avoiding relegation.
Hyypia paid the price with his job, which came as a blow for Teixeira given it was the former Liverpool defender who brought him to Brighton. At that stage, the Portuguese admits he thought his time at the Amex Stadium could be coming to a premature end. But Hughton quickly made it clear that he wanted Teixeira to remain and under the former Norwich manager he has, if anything, improved playing in a freer attacking role. It is little wonder, then, that despite the difficulties Teixeira views his time at Brighton as a positive one.
“I’ve always played in winning teams, when I was at Sporting and at Liverpool as well. This has been a different mentality; we have to fight to survive. It’s a different experience but a good on as well. It’s good to see both sides,” he says.
“[Hyypia’s departure] was a really fast thing. One day he was here, the next day I never saw him again. It was sad to see him leave but these things happen in football. As a player you just have to deal with it and carry on working hard. That is what I kept doing and thankfully when the new manager came in he liked me. I have kept playing. It’s been a good experience.”
Teixeira has watched Liverpool’s fortunes from afar this season – and will do so again when they face Blackburn in an FA Cup sixth-round replay on Wednesday evening – as well as maintained regular dialogue with figures at the club, most prominently the Academy director Alex Inglethorpe. Teixeira was also able to catch up with Rodgers when he returned to Anfield last month to take part in a charity match. “He is happy with my progress,” Teixeira says with another smile.
Rodgers’ record with young players should rightly provide Teixeira with encouragement, as should the Northern Irishman’s description of him in January as “the outstanding performer in our reserves”, a view he was not alone in holding.
Teixeira has been a shining light for Liverpool at youth level ever since he joined from Sporting for around £800,000. In essence he auditioned for the transfer, having scored and dazzled throughout when Sporting won 3-0 at Anfield in August 2011 during the now defunct NextGen Series.
“It was maybe a month after [that Liverpool made contact],” Teixeira recollects. “It was a big chance for me in England. The people here live for football intensely, and for me it’s where football is the best. I’ve always wanted to come to England and, of course, I was excited about playing for such a great club as Liverpool. It was a big chance. I couldn’t say no.
“You don’t need to spend money if you have the right young players at your house – I know this is Liverpool’s philosophy and it is also why I wanted to join them.”
Having played at youth level with Sterling, Teixeira has not been surprised by the forward’s progress in recent seasons. He continues to speak regularly with the 20-year-old, describing him as a “really nice guy”, but insists they have not discussed the England international’s ongoing contract standoff with Liverpool. “I don’t know about the future,” is Teixeira’s response when asked if he is hopeful that Sterling will remain at Anfield.
One man he definitely will not be lining up alongside at Liverpool next season is Gerrard given the captain’s decision to end his glittering association with his boyhood club in the summer. Teixeira first took notice of the midfielder when, aged 12, he sat in front of the television with his father and watched the 34-year-old lift the European Cup for Liverpool in Istanbul. Gerrard has been a source of advice and support for Teixeira ever since he arrived on Merseyside three years ago, having also been the man who encouraged Hyypia to take him to Brighton. Naturally there is sadness on the Portuguese’s part that their time together in Liverpool’s senior side will forever be restricted to that heady evening at Craven Cottage 14 months ago.
“Stevie helps not just me but all the young players at Liverpool,” Teixeira says. “It is obvious that he really cares about them all, probably because he came from the youth team, too, so he knows how we are all feeling. He’s a legend in Liverpool and everyone at the club likes him a lot. It is a shame he will not be there next season as I would have liked to have played with him more, and learnt from him. But you can understand if after all this time at Liverpool, Stevie wanted a new experience.”
As one Anfield career ends another could take off. That is what Teixeira is hoping anyway. After representing Portugal at this summer’s European Under-21 Championships in the Czech Republic, he feels it will be time to move on and, specifically, move back. “I need to finish the season here and then I’ll go to Liverpool on 2 May,” he says. “I will be there for two more weeks and train so I can keep fit for the Euros. I will also have time to speak to the manager about my future.
“I came to Brighton to become more mature and get more experience, and hopefully next year I will be playing for Liverpool. That is my dream.”
João Teixeira: ‘Brighton has been good but my dream is to play for Liverpool’
The young and highly-rated Portuguese midfielder is determined to make it at Anfield having shone while on loan at the south coast club
Sachin Nakrani
@SachinNakrani
Wednesday 8 April 2015 15.24 BST
Last modified on Wednesday 8 April 2015 17.57 BST
Sat inside an interview room at Brighton’s sprawling training base in Lancing, João Teixeira is answering the questions put to him politely and calmly. Suddenly he lights up. His eyes widen and a smile spreads across his face. He leans forward and for the first time on a crisp morning in West Sussex, the young man located at the other side of the table truly looks alive.
“We were in the hotel in Kensington and I didn’t expect to be on the bench,” Teixeira says. “I was on the list a lot of times before but I was never on the bench. But this time I was on the bench, it was my first time and I was very excited.”
Teixeira is recollecting the one and only first-team appearance he has made for Liverpool, his parent club. It came as an 82nd-minute substitute away at Fulham last February. The score was 2-2 at the time with Brendan Rodgers’ team coming from behind twice at a point in the season when belief was growing that they could mount a genuine title challenge. What happened next cemented their credentials and Teixeira, positioned on the left flank after replacing a certain Raheem Sterling, played a key role.
“I passed the ball to [Daniel] Sturridge that led to the penalty,” he recalls as his eyes widen further and that smile becomes more pronounced.
Sturridge was hacked down in the area by Sascha Riether and from the resulting spot-kick deep into second-half stoppage time, Steven Gerrard secured all three points for Liverpool. It was a big moment, reflected by the way Gerrard ripped off his shirt and swung it in celebration in front of the delirious away support. Soon he was being mobbed by his team-mates, including Teixeira. Life as a Premier League football could not have begun much better.
“I enjoyed it as much as I could, it was great,” remembers the 22-year-old. “It was my debut in the Premier League, which is something you dream of, and it went well and we won the game, so I was very happy. Very satisfied.”
That Teixeira cameo had indeed gone well and as Liverpool’s pursuit of a first championship in 24 years gathered momentum (before ultimately hitting a brick wall) he thought Rodgers would give him another chance to impress. But while he continued to find a place on Liverpool’s bench, the Portuguese never again made it on to the pitch and instead returned to play for the club’s Under-21 side, for whom he has regularly featured since arriving from Sporting Lisbon in 2012.
A little over a year on from that appearance against Fulham, however, Teixeira feels confident he can again be a presence in Liverpool’s first team given the way he has performed while on a season-long loan at Brighton.
In total, Teixeira has scored six goals in 33 appearances for Brighton, making him their second-highest goalscorer behind Lewis Dunk. There have also been four assists, the joint-highest of any player. Those may not be startling statistics, but given this is Teixeira’s first season at Brighton and it has come at a time when the club have consistently struggled in the Championship – they are currently 19th and on their second manager after Chris Hughton replaced Sami Hyypia in December – he can be deemed to have done well.
What the numbers also do not show is Teixeira’s general level of performance, which has been high. He is a well balanced and highly technical, two-footed midfielder. A creative menace who has been likened to the former Portugal and Barcelona midfielder Deco and looks a cut above Championship level.
“I have a lot of trust in myself, in my capacity, so I always thought I could do well in the Championship,” says Teixeira, who also had brief loan spell at Brentford last season. “The formation has become different [since Hughton replaced Hyypia] but what both managers asked me to do is very similar – to play behind the striker, look for space, assist, pass, get in the box and score goals. Overall to be creative, which is what I like to do.”
Residing on the south coast has been easy for Teixeira to adjust to given he comes from Braga, Portugal’s third largest city but a place which, he says, “is similar to Brighton; not that big, with nice restaurants and a beach”. But while the surroundings have been idyllic, life on the pitch has been anything but as a team used to chasing promotion in recent seasons has had to focus instead on avoiding relegation.
Hyypia paid the price with his job, which came as a blow for Teixeira given it was the former Liverpool defender who brought him to Brighton. At that stage, the Portuguese admits he thought his time at the Amex Stadium could be coming to a premature end. But Hughton quickly made it clear that he wanted Teixeira to remain and under the former Norwich manager he has, if anything, improved playing in a freer attacking role. It is little wonder, then, that despite the difficulties Teixeira views his time at Brighton as a positive one.
“I’ve always played in winning teams, when I was at Sporting and at Liverpool as well. This has been a different mentality; we have to fight to survive. It’s a different experience but a good on as well. It’s good to see both sides,” he says.
“[Hyypia’s departure] was a really fast thing. One day he was here, the next day I never saw him again. It was sad to see him leave but these things happen in football. As a player you just have to deal with it and carry on working hard. That is what I kept doing and thankfully when the new manager came in he liked me. I have kept playing. It’s been a good experience.”
Teixeira has watched Liverpool’s fortunes from afar this season – and will do so again when they face Blackburn in an FA Cup sixth-round replay on Wednesday evening – as well as maintained regular dialogue with figures at the club, most prominently the Academy director Alex Inglethorpe. Teixeira was also able to catch up with Rodgers when he returned to Anfield last month to take part in a charity match. “He is happy with my progress,” Teixeira says with another smile.
Rodgers’ record with young players should rightly provide Teixeira with encouragement, as should the Northern Irishman’s description of him in January as “the outstanding performer in our reserves”, a view he was not alone in holding.
Teixeira has been a shining light for Liverpool at youth level ever since he joined from Sporting for around £800,000. In essence he auditioned for the transfer, having scored and dazzled throughout when Sporting won 3-0 at Anfield in August 2011 during the now defunct NextGen Series.
“It was maybe a month after [that Liverpool made contact],” Teixeira recollects. “It was a big chance for me in England. The people here live for football intensely, and for me it’s where football is the best. I’ve always wanted to come to England and, of course, I was excited about playing for such a great club as Liverpool. It was a big chance. I couldn’t say no.
“You don’t need to spend money if you have the right young players at your house – I know this is Liverpool’s philosophy and it is also why I wanted to join them.”
Having played at youth level with Sterling, Teixeira has not been surprised by the forward’s progress in recent seasons. He continues to speak regularly with the 20-year-old, describing him as a “really nice guy”, but insists they have not discussed the England international’s ongoing contract standoff with Liverpool. “I don’t know about the future,” is Teixeira’s response when asked if he is hopeful that Sterling will remain at Anfield.
One man he definitely will not be lining up alongside at Liverpool next season is Gerrard given the captain’s decision to end his glittering association with his boyhood club in the summer. Teixeira first took notice of the midfielder when, aged 12, he sat in front of the television with his father and watched the 34-year-old lift the European Cup for Liverpool in Istanbul. Gerrard has been a source of advice and support for Teixeira ever since he arrived on Merseyside three years ago, having also been the man who encouraged Hyypia to take him to Brighton. Naturally there is sadness on the Portuguese’s part that their time together in Liverpool’s senior side will forever be restricted to that heady evening at Craven Cottage 14 months ago.
“Stevie helps not just me but all the young players at Liverpool,” Teixeira says. “It is obvious that he really cares about them all, probably because he came from the youth team, too, so he knows how we are all feeling. He’s a legend in Liverpool and everyone at the club likes him a lot. It is a shame he will not be there next season as I would have liked to have played with him more, and learnt from him. But you can understand if after all this time at Liverpool, Stevie wanted a new experience.”
As one Anfield career ends another could take off. That is what Teixeira is hoping anyway. After representing Portugal at this summer’s European Under-21 Championships in the Czech Republic, he feels it will be time to move on and, specifically, move back. “I need to finish the season here and then I’ll go to Liverpool on 2 May,” he says. “I will be there for two more weeks and train so I can keep fit for the Euros. I will also have time to speak to the manager about my future.
“I came to Brighton to become more mature and get more experience, and hopefully next year I will be playing for Liverpool. That is my dream.”
15 April 2015Last updated at 12:40
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Liverpool's Joao Teixeira breaks leg on loan at Brighton
On-loan Brighton midfielder Joao Teixeira will be out for the rest of the season with a broken leg.
The 22-year-old, who is on loan from Liverpool, sustained the injury in the 0-0 draw with Huddersfield on Tuesday.
Teixeira, who was stretchered off after a challenge by Nahki Wells, has a fracture just above the ankle.
"Our thoughts are with Joao, as this is a real blow to him after such a good season for the club," Seagulls boss Chris Hughton told the club website.
"We all wish him a speedy recovery and return to action."
The Portugal Under-21 international joined Brighton in August and scored six goals in 35 appearances during his time at the Amex Stadium.
"He's been an important player for the club this season, both before and after I came to the club," Hughton added.
"I would like to thank him for his efforts during his time on loan here, and also Liverpool for allowing him to come."
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/32319586
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Liverpool's Joao Teixeira breaks leg on loan at Brighton
On-loan Brighton midfielder Joao Teixeira will be out for the rest of the season with a broken leg.
The 22-year-old, who is on loan from Liverpool, sustained the injury in the 0-0 draw with Huddersfield on Tuesday.
Teixeira, who was stretchered off after a challenge by Nahki Wells, has a fracture just above the ankle.
"Our thoughts are with Joao, as this is a real blow to him after such a good season for the club," Seagulls boss Chris Hughton told the club website.
"We all wish him a speedy recovery and return to action."
The Portugal Under-21 international joined Brighton in August and scored six goals in 35 appearances during his time at the Amex Stadium.
"He's been an important player for the club this season, both before and after I came to the club," Hughton added.
"I would like to thank him for his efforts during his time on loan here, and also Liverpool for allowing him to come."
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/32319586
Couple of defeats for our youngsters:
U21s: lost 3-1 to Leicester
U18s: lost 3-2 to Brighton - Herbie Kane scored both goals for us.
U21s: lost 3-1 to Leicester
U18s: lost 3-2 to Brighton - Herbie Kane scored both goals for us.
Good to see both Kent and Yesil getting onto the scoresheets again after their injuries. Hopefully both will stay fit and get a chance to join up with the senior squad for the pre-season. Hopefully will be able to find the highlights clips and post them here in a few days.
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http://www.liverpoolfc.com/news/latest-news/183729-yesil-at-the-double-in-spurs-rout
Yesil at the double in Spurs rout
Author:
Steve Hunter
Samed Yesil scored twice as Liverpool U21s produced a superb performance to beat Tottenham Hotspur 3-1 at White Hart Lane on Friday night.
After back-to-back defeats to Fulham and Leicester City, Michael Beale's side returned to winning ways in fine style.
Ryan Kent was also on the mark on a memorable evening for a young Reds line-up.
Beale handed Corey Whelan a debut at U21 level while Spurs fielded France international Etienne Capoue.
The young Reds made the best possible start when they netted inside the opening five minutes when Kent fired home a low shot into the bottom corner of the net.
It got even better for Liverpool on 28 minutes when German U21 international Yesil pounced onto a loose ball and finished superbly.
Four minutes into the second-half Yesil was tormenting Spurs again as he produced another superb finish to make it 3-0.
Will Miller pulled a late goal back for the home side but it was a deserved victory for Beale's charges.
Reflecting on the victory, Beale told Liverpoolfc.com: "I'm delighted for the lads and we did ever so well.
"It was great to see Samed getting two goals and only he could have scored the type of goals he got tonight, and with his wrong foot.
"It was great to see him after the game with a big smile on his face. He has worked so hard to get back to full fitness and his sharpness is coming back.
"Ryan scored a great goal with his left foot and he, Harry Wilson and Sergi Canos were terrific for us.
"Corey was superb on his debut and Connor Randall and Alex O'Hanlon did a great job."
Liverpool U21s: Vigouroux, Whelan, Hart, Randall, Cleary, O'Hanlon, Canos, Trickett-Smith, Yesil, Kent, Wilson.
Subs: Brewitt, Firth, Ejaria, Pelosi, Madger Gomes.
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http://www.liverpoolfc.com/news/latest-news/183729-yesil-at-the-double-in-spurs-rout
Yesil at the double in Spurs rout
17th Apr 2015 - Latest News
Author:
Steve Hunter
Samed Yesil scored twice as Liverpool U21s produced a superb performance to beat Tottenham Hotspur 3-1 at White Hart Lane on Friday night.
After back-to-back defeats to Fulham and Leicester City, Michael Beale's side returned to winning ways in fine style.
Ryan Kent was also on the mark on a memorable evening for a young Reds line-up.
Beale handed Corey Whelan a debut at U21 level while Spurs fielded France international Etienne Capoue.
The young Reds made the best possible start when they netted inside the opening five minutes when Kent fired home a low shot into the bottom corner of the net.
It got even better for Liverpool on 28 minutes when German U21 international Yesil pounced onto a loose ball and finished superbly.
Four minutes into the second-half Yesil was tormenting Spurs again as he produced another superb finish to make it 3-0.
Will Miller pulled a late goal back for the home side but it was a deserved victory for Beale's charges.
Reflecting on the victory, Beale told Liverpoolfc.com: "I'm delighted for the lads and we did ever so well.
"It was great to see Samed getting two goals and only he could have scored the type of goals he got tonight, and with his wrong foot.
"It was great to see him after the game with a big smile on his face. He has worked so hard to get back to full fitness and his sharpness is coming back.
"Ryan scored a great goal with his left foot and he, Harry Wilson and Sergi Canos were terrific for us.
"Corey was superb on his debut and Connor Randall and Alex O'Hanlon did a great job."
Liverpool U21s: Vigouroux, Whelan, Hart, Randall, Cleary, O'Hanlon, Canos, Trickett-Smith, Yesil, Kent, Wilson.
Subs: Brewitt, Firth, Ejaria, Pelosi, Madger Gomes.
- Status
