Tony Barrett
Last updated at 12:01AM, February 2 2013
Liverpool’s teenage defender is not complaining about criticism from the manager after defeat by Oldham, writes Tony Barrett
Andre Wisdom’s powerful physique fills the doorway. He is wearing a T-shirt emblazoned with the image of Mike Tyson that shows off a muscular neck and bulging biceps reminiscent of a prizefighter in peak condition. Somehow, it doesn’t seem the right moment to ask the hoody-wearing teenager if academy football has made him soft.
That is one of many uncomplimentary accusations to have been levelled at Wisdom and his fellow academy graduates since Liverpool were knocked out of the FA Cup by Oldham Athletic on Sunday. According to the prevailing theory, excessive pampering has weakened the youngsters and made them unprepared for tough testing grounds such as Boundary Park.
Attempting to provoke a positive reaction, Brendan Rodgers added fuel to the fire, telling his young players that they had to learn from their “rude awakening” or else risk a rapid fall from grace. In the opinion of some, those comments should have been confined to the dressing room.
Wisdom, though, believes that not only was the boot up their backsides, understandable, it was also justified. “The manager has been singing our praises so we have to respect what he says, even if it isn’t complimentary,” he said. “We all know when we’ve played well or not and we didn’t do ourselves justice at Oldham, so we have to take the result and the manager’s comments on the chin.
“Everyone takes defeat differently, but in this case I think I can speak on behalf of everyone at the club by saying none of us were happy. We don’t like to lose any game, we take every game seriously, whether it’s Oldham or Manchester United, but now we have to put this one behind us and look forward.”
Wisdom grew up in the next street to Micah Richards, the Manchester City defender, in the Chapeltown suburb of Leeds. “There must be something in the air,” is his response when asked about why one neighbourhood has produced two Premier League footballers of such physical precocity.
In some ways, though, the 19-year-old’s strength can give the wrong impression as, for all his power, Wisdom is a player who has been coached to build rather than destroy. In many respects, it is he — rather than the more naturally talented Raheem Sterling — who is the symbol of the possession-based culture that has permeated Liverpool’s academy ever since Rodolfo Borrell, who had previously worked for Barcelona, was appointed as the under-18s coach in July 2009.
“When you’re a young age and more physically developed than some of the other lads, it can be a bit easy at times because you know your strength means you can recover even if you do make a mistake,” Wisdom said. “I suppose now people expect me to be a bit of a bully on the pitch, but I like to get the ball down and play like I was coached at the academy.
“Rodolfo brought a different style to training. Obviously the Spanish way of playing is based on keeping the ball, a lot passing and possession and a big transition when you lose the ball. We noticed the change in style of coaching and playing straightaway and it’s been for the better. It’s played a big part in the way I’ve been progressing, especially with the new manager having the same sorts of methods.
“The upbringing we had at the academy has definitely helped me and the other lads keep progressing.”
Part of that upbringing was five-a-side matches involving Kenny Dalglish and, while the former Liverpool manager may not at present have a role at the club, his influence remains significant according to Wisdom.
“Kenny played a big part with a lot of people’s development,” the England Under-21 player said. “He was there, training with us and helping us and, when you are working with a legend like him, it can only ever help. He showed me how important it is to be a winner because, whenever we had training games, he would be a floater and would go on the same side as whichever team was winning. That’s how much it meant to him.”
The same passion to succeed has led to Jamie Carragher going from academy hopeful to a Liverpool veteran of 722 appearances. On Wednesday night at Arsenal, Wisdom had a verbal exchange with the 35-year-old that is likely to have delighted Rodgers, who has challenged his younger players to become more vocal and to stand up for themselves at all times.
“When you’re a young player, playing for such a big club, you are going to get noticed, but you have to stay humble and respect what the senior players are telling you,” Wisdom said. “But, when I think I’m in the right, I voice my opinion and it’s heard just as any other player’s would be.
“It’s something the manager encourages because every team needs leaders. Carragher is one and for me to be on the same pitch as him is an honour. If I could have half the career he’s had, I would be happy. He’s played more than 700 games for Liverpool now, which is phenomenal. When I think of what he’s done and what he’s achieved, it gives me something to strive for.”
After signing a new long-term contract last month, Wisdom impressed his coaches further when he made an impromptu visit to the academy to show his gratitude. “You can’t forget where you’ve come from,” he said.
“The support I got from the people working there, day in and day out, is something I’ll never forget. They helped me to get where I am today, so a quick ‘thank you’ and a shake of the hand doesn’t cost me anything.”
As for the suggestion the academy system produces mollycoddled players, Wisdom is as uncompromising as one of his tackles. “It’s not as easy and as pretty as it looks,” he said.
“There have been days when I’ve been on the back pitches at Kirkby and it’s throwing it down with hailstones, we’ve lost a game at the weekend and we have got to do loads of running and then a gym session. It’s a lot of hard work. But what is great about it is there is a really good structure, which means we are taught how to play football.”
