Liverpool’s current crop of youngsters are the best the club have produced in fifteen years. The competition is fierce at the academy and not only are there brilliant individuals, but collectively as a team both the under 18s and under 21s have played some brilliant football this season.
The most important thing for the academy sides aren’t performances, but progress. Each of the young lads down at the clubs Kirkby complex have the aim of being called up to Melwood to train with the first team.
Here, they will be tested against the likes of Steven Gerrard and Luis Suárez, eager to impress the on watching Brendan Rodgers and his backroom staff.
One youngster who knows just how tough the step up can be, is full back Joe Maguire. The seventeen year old has frequently been up at Melwood, training with the first team. Currently out injured Joe took time out of his rehabilitation, and I caught up with him to talk about life at Liverpool FC.
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Musker: Hi Joe, how’s the injury, and when are we likely to see you back?
Maguire: “To be honest, I don’t think it’s as bad as we originally thought, having had to come off in the game against Stoke. The aim now is to be fit for the FA youth cup match against Chelsea.”
Musker: I’m glad to hear it! Just on that Chelsea game, how are you and the rest of the lads looking forward to the two semi final matches?
Maguire: “The lads can’t wait for it you know! To play at Anfield and Stamford Bridge is a dream, but we know we have to get the result. We all want to win so badly, so we’ll be well up for it.”
Musker: It’s great to see you up at Melwood so often. How has it been training with the first team?
Maguire: “Yeah, just to be around the likes of Steven Gerrard and Luis Suárez is a dream and, to now be training with them, is helping so much I think. It improves you a lot as a player, because you’re expected to perform in every session.”
Musker: And what has it been like working with Brendan Rodgers?
Maguire: “Rodgers is great to work with because he always wants to bring the best out of you. He just wants you to prove that you know you’re good enough and you’re not scared playing against world-class players. He really does push you and gives you bags of confidence!”
Musker: Can you take me through your normal day at the academy?
Maguire: “A normal day at the academy is to get there nice and early for breakfast, after that we got to the gym and maybe stretch in preparation for training at around 10.30am. We are normally finished by about dinner time, ready to go the gym again. After that we’ll have some more food, and that will be the day finished, unless there’s a team meeting.”
Musker: And what would you say are the main differences between training at the academy and training at Melwood?
Maguire: “The difference between Melwood and the academy is massive! The difference between making a mistake at the back, for example, if you lose the ball you’ll get punished massively and it’ll cost the team a goal.
The tempo and speed of play are also really quick too, so you have to really adjust as soon as you can or you’ll get caught out. You have to really up your game when you make your way up to Melwood with the first team because the standard is very high.”
Musker: And back to the academy, if you were to predict on academy player to make it at Anfield, who would you say?
Maguire: “Me? No I’m joking! I think all the players have got a good chance, the whole squad have a really good mentality.”
Musker: Who are the best trainers at Melwood and at the academy?
Maguire: “At Melwood, it’s very hard to tell, at the academy, everyone is very serious when it comes to the football. Everyone just wants to succeed and everyone wants to be the best player.”
Musker: Have you noticed a change in the playing style since the club switched to a 4-3-3 formation at all age groups?
Maguire: “To be honest, you can’t really tell because we’ve been working on three in midfield for a while now and most things around the midfield don’t change. It’s a really good formation when attacking and defending, and I think we can open every team up playing this way.”
Musker: How far do you think you have come this season, and what has helped you improve?
Maguire: “I think I’ve done alright this season. I’ve got a good amount of games in and a few in the Next Gen Series too, which has been a good experience, but it’s always important to stay hungry. I think the thing that has helped me a lot is playing full time now. It helps so much because you are fully focussed and you’re also doing something you love.”
Musker: And just finally Joe, what is your main aim for next season?
Maguire: “My aim for next season is to just carry on improving, to keep working hard and doing the best I can to make it to the top level.”
Musker: Thanks very much Joe, best of luck for the rest of the season.
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