REDS' TRIO MAKE DEBUTS IN FRIENDLY

[Guest Red & Green]

http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/news/drilldown/N...070213-1550.htm

 

REDS' TRIO MAKE DEBUTS IN FRIENDLY

Jimmy Rice 13 February 2007

Jordy Brouwer, Emiliano Insua and Ronald Huth made their club debuts on Tuesday as Liverpool Reserves slipped to a 3-1 friendly defeat to Preston.

A stunning 20-yard lob from former Red Neil Mellor helped ruin their big day at a windswept Academy.

 

Of all the debutants, left-back Insua looked most capable of knocking on the first-team door, though all three showed glimpses of why they were brought to the club in January.

 

Indeed, it was Brouwer who carved out the game's first opportunity on three minutes, controlling the ball neatly on the edge of the box before sending a shot into the visiting keeper's arms via a deflection.

 

Jack Hobbs, back in the starting line up following a six-month spell on the sidelines with a thigh injury, began brightly in midfield alongside Danny Guthrie.

 

The pair looked assured throughout against an experienced Preston side which included Daniel Dichio and former West Ham man Adam Nowland.

 

It was Nowland who opened the scoring on eight minutes, bending a sublime free-kick beyond David Martin following a clumsy challenge by the robust Huth.

 

To their credit, Gary Ablett's side did not let their heads drop and, perhaps inspired by a mob of screaming Academy youngsters, managed to pull level seven minutes before the break.

 

Besian Idrizaj pounced on a loose ball on the edge of the box before dummying Sean St Ledger (of Big Ron Manager fame) and side-footing beyond the keeper.

 

The Reds were stringing together some decent passing moves, though too often things broke down as they entered the final third.

 

The hosts' only other real chance of the first-half came when Nabil El Zhar skipped past his man and cut back for Brouwer, the Dutch debutant volleying narrowly over from 10 yards.

 

Minutes later Brouwer again came close, this time linking up with Insua before directing a mid-range curler too close to the keeper.

 

Liverpool were made to pay for their lack of cutting edge on 42 minutes, former Academy starlet Mellor bringing back memories of his famous long-range goal against Arsenal with a stylish lob over Martin from 25 yards.

 

Two became three on the stroke of half-time when Nowland's in-swinging cross evaded everyone before bulging the back of the net.

 

Insua had the first chance after the break with a thirty-yard drive. It may have looped over the bar, but it nevertheless illustrated why he was later ushered forward to take a free-kick deep in Preston's half.

 

The Reds were a far better unit in the second-half, with Paul Anderson and El Zhar starting to get into the game, and Idrizaj and Guthrie looking dangerous.

 

El Zhar should have pulled one back when careless defending left him one-on-one. Stretching, he sent his 25-yard lob inches wide.

 

Insua got a slice of what English football's all about when Mellor hacked him down from behind ? though it was heartening to see the 17-year-old walk away without a word.

 

Minutes later the roles were reversed when a routine tackle from the Argentine left Mellor needing stitches in his knee.

 

Debutant watch:

 

Insua - showed a willingness to get forward throughout. Displayed good aerial ability and composure on the ball. With a bit of work on his positional play, he could soon be joining up with the first team.

 

Brouwer ? the lanky striker looked like an out-and-out forward. A good touch and able to hold up the ball.

 

Huth ? watched by his mum and little brother, he grew in composure as the game wore on. Will be given time to adapt to the English lifestyle.

 

Duran and Padelli ? A knock sustained while playing for Spain Under 19s kept Francisco Manuel Duran on the sidelines, while Daniele Padelli is currently training with the first-team in Portugal.

 

Man of the match: Danny Guthrie

 

Liverpool Reserves: Martin, Peltier, Antwi (Hobbs 45), Huth (Antwi 70), Insua, Hobbs (Brouwer 32), Guthrie, Anderson, El Zhar, Brouwer (Roque 23), Idrizaj.

[R A Softlad]

ABLETT HAILS DEBUT BOY INSUA

Jimmy Rice 13 February 2007

Gary Ablett believes Liverpool have a real talent on their hands in Argentine left-back Emiliano Insua.

The reserve-team manager was delighted with the 17-year-old's debut in a friendly against Preston on Tuesday lunch-time.

 

He said: "Insua has a lot of potential. He's only 17 and is still eligible for our youth team, yet he's already played for Argentina Under-20s. That tells you something about his quality.

 

"To say it was his debut, I was very pleased. The potential is there and we now have to make sure we harness it.

 

"He is a prospect, we have a lot of prospects. You have to be exceptional to get into the Liverpool first team, but we have some very good players who are going in the right direction. Now, they've got to flourish over the next year to 18 months."

 

The game, played at the Academy, also marked the debuts of Jordy Brouwer and Ronald Huth.

 

Ablett went on: "It was always going to be difficult for Huth ? he was against Mellor and Dichio, which is a physical challenge.

 

"But he's come from half-way round the world so that's never easy. Again though, the potential is there.

 

"Jordy did okay as well. He has a great physique but perhaps needs to develop himself physically in order to hold-off the centre-halves."

 

Despite losing the game 3-1, Ablett insists there were plenty of positives.

 

"I'm disappointed with the scoreline but, although I wouldn't say we expected it, we knew Preston were a good side with a lot of players who've got Championship experience.

 

"We had two new lads at the back who've never played together. There was confusion at times with the language barriers. That's something we can sort out ? they'll have to learn English as soon as they can.

 

"As much as David Martin shouted, they couldn't understand him.

 

"We let in three sloppy goals but we were good with the ball and passed it well at times. The lads showed at times that they're improving tactically and playing the way we want them to play.

 

"We created a lot of chances but again we couldn't score the goals.

 

"Danny Guthrie did well. I think he is really starting to show the benefits of training with the first team now."

 

Ablett added that Francisco Manuel Duran, who sat out with a hamstring injury, could make his debut for the reserves against Bolton next Thursday.

[Eiler99]

Insua got a slice of what English football's all about when Mellor hacked him down from behind ? though it was heartening to see the 17-year-old walk away without a word.

 

Minutes later the roles were reversed when a routine tackle from the Argentine left Mellor needing stitches in his knee.

 

Now that's an argie defender right there.

[Ronnie Whelan]

Now that's an argie defender right there.

 

 

 

Just a pity it didnt happen to someone bar Mellor.

[DonRafa]

Thanks for that guys.

 

I love hearing how the 'young guns' are developing.

 

Had to laugh at this bit -

 

'Insua got a slice of what English football's all about when Mellor hacked him down from behind ? though it was heartening to see the 17-year-old walk away without a word.

 

Minutes later the roles were reversed when a routine tackle from the Argentine left Mellor needing stitches in his knee. '

 

That'll be a 'routine' Argentinian tackle then. Good lad, he's learning fast! Shame it was on Mellor tho', injury must be his middle name

[jimmylibel]

Now that's an argie defender right there.

 

 

Sign more cynical defenders!

[DonRafa]

Must check thread first. Or type faster. Or both.

[Guest Scot]

Has Neil been injured or something? How come he's in Preston's stiffs?

[Guest L4 Lad]

any news on when arbeloa wil get his first start?

[Stevie H]

i f***ing love it when people post thread titles in BLOCK CAPITALS.

[Conor]

Has Neil been injured or something? How come he's in Preston's stiffs?

 

Because he is the world's best reserve team player of all time ever.

[Will]

Has Neil been injured or something? How come he's in Preston's stiffs?

He is only now making his way back from the injury he had when he joined PNE

[Guest Scot]

He is only now making his way back from the injury he had when he joined PNE

 

Ah that's good. I was a wee bit worried there. Cheers, Will.

[Maldini]

i f***ing love it when people post thread titles in BLOCK CAPITALS.

Probably copied and pasted from the official site

[Alonso]

Here's some pics:

 

Click Me

 

 

Ouch!

[KD07]

With regards to them piccies, who's who on there?

[PhilM]

That picture above is Huth being stood on my Mellor, who is looking wider every time I see him.

 

Brouwer is the one going up for the header in the top pic from the offal site and Insua is the one in this pic http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/nimages/res08.jpg

 

http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/nimages/res10.jpg

 

That's Idrizaj.

[KD07]

And the wider Finnan is Guthrie. Ta!

[RafaShanks]

 

Is Insua doing the foxtrot there?

Edited February 14, 2007 by RafaShanks

[Hightown Phil]

Fella who lives by me said his grandson was playing for Preston, Insua was the dogs doodahs apparently.

[BDB]

Nice high res pics, the offal is improving!

[wacko]

Christ, I thought I read ROBERT Huth there for a second. Must read more carefully before I do myself some harm.