Liverpool's reserves lost in the league for the first time in over a year last week, a record that brings back happy memories of an era where the second string used to routinely win the Pontins League under the guidance of future first team manager Roy Evans.

The strategy back then was also very similar tot e one that Rafael Benitez has been adopting even if the range of nationalities has been widened drastically. Click to continue reading...

GARY ABLETT'S title winning Liverpool reserves side suffered their first defeat in almost a year last night.

The Reds second string went down 2-1 at Sunderland in the FA Premier Reserve League North.

Sunderland were the last side to beat Liverpool when they inflicted the only defeat suffered by Gary Ablett's side in the whole of last season. Click to continue reading...

Gary Ablett has thrown down a League Cup gauntlet to his young starlets ahead of their clash with Sunderland tonight.

With the Carling Cup third round tie against Crewe Alexandra beckoning at Anfield next Tuesday night, Ablett is hoping the likes of Stephen Darby and Jay Spearing can impress manager Rafael Benitez and give him a selection poser. Click to continue reading...

New Brazilian striker Vitor Flora has thanked Lucas Leiva, Fabio Aurelio and Diego Cavalieri for helping him settle into new surroundings at Melwood.

The 18-year-old striker - who signed for the Reds last month - admits having fellow countrymen already at the club has made life a whole lot easier for him. Click to continue reading...

Steven Irwin is hoping to finally nail down a regular position after making the permanent move to Melwood in the summer.

The 17-year-old has played in every single position during his rise through the Liverpool ranks – even in goal.

Last season brought more stability as he split his time between just two areas: right-back and central midfield. Click to continue reading...

Liverpool reserves manager Gary Ablett has spoken of the frustrations that three of his team-members feel having been promoted to the first team for pre-season, only to be drawn back into the reserves for the current campaign.

Gary Ablett has explained to the club's official website the tough time he has boosting the morale of young trident Stephen Darby, Jay Spearing and Daniel Pacheco, after they experienced life with the first team during pre-season, only to be demoted back to participate in the reserves league. Click to continue reading...

JORDY BROUWER scored the only goal of the game as champions Liverpool Reserves opened the defence of their FA Premiership Reserve League Northern Section title with victory over Middlesbrough Reserves at the Riverside Stadium last night.

Liverpool also saw new boy Phillip Degen come through 45 minutes of the match as the Swiss international right-back works his way back to full fitness following injury. Click to continue reading...

Aside from the Barry saga, this was the summer in which the core of Liverpool's successful reserve side got an opportunity to prove their worth at a higher level. Daniel Pacheco, Damien Plessis, Jay Spearing, Kristian Nemeth, Stephen Darby and Emiliano Insua all got to play in the club's pre-season friendlies with each one hinting that, should the need arise, they were more than capable of doing a job. Click to continue reading...

Three of Rafa Benitez's young pretenders have been given first-team squad numbers for 2008-09.

Damien Plessis, Krisztian Nemeth and Martin Kelly have all been allocated numbers for the first time.

Central midfielder Plessis, who borrowed the number 47 for his debut at the Emirates last term, will wear 28 on a permanent basis. Click to continue reading...

Gerardo Bruna secured a score-draw for Liverpool as they take on League One outfit Stockport County.

Liverpool took of the 'Hatters' today, and after Stockport paraded their play-off trophy to the crowd before kick-off, they took to the pitch with a game plan to get stuck into a fairly young Liverpool side, coached by Gary Ablett. Click to continue reading...

Liverpool midfielder Sebastian Leto is on the verge of joining Greek outfit Olympiakos on a season long loan move.

Leto joined Liverpool in 2007 but has failed to make an impact in the first team and spent the majority of his time in Gary Ablett's reserves. The Reds were supposedly trying to use the Argentine in a part exchange deal for Albert Riera earlier in the season, but the reds offer was shot down by Espanyol. Click to continue reading...

Gary Ablett believes rising star Daniel Pacheco will continue to shine under the guidance of Rafael Benitez.

The 17-year-old Spanish striker arrived from Barcelona last season and enjoyed a superb debut year as he helped the reserves to a unique treble under the command of Ablett.

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Liverpool are set to complete two transfer deals – after beating a host of top clubs to one of Europe's most promising young strikers.
Italian left-back Andrea Dossena agreed terms to complete his move from Udinese for a fee in the region of £6million earlier this month before going on his honeymoon. Click to continue reading...

Not bad for a fall back option. When Paco Herrera chose to return to Spain, the job of managing Liverpool's reserve side was earmarked for Gary McAllister, with Rafael Benitez eager to have someone who had played for the club to fill that role.

Personal reasons forced the Scot to turn the offer down and the club into looking for someone else to take on the role. Click to continue reading...

A GREAT night for the young Mariners as they were invited to be mascots for the Liverpool Senior Cup Final. Many thanks to Marine boss Alvin McDonald and chairman Paul Leary for making their dreams come true and also to both sets of players. I took some video footage and someone with far more technical know-how than me put together this short video for the Crosby Herald website. Click to continue reading...