Thursday, February 05, 2009

Liverpool Must Tighten Up Ahead Of FA Youth Cup Clash

Coach Hughie McAuley has urged his youngsters to tighten up ahead of tonight’s FA Youth Cup fifth round clash with Chelsea at Anfield.

The Reds will be looking to bounce back from last weekend’s 3-2 defeat to Everton in the Premier Academy League at Finch Farm.

McAuley’s side had looked on course for victory after Finnish striker Lauri Dalla Valle’s brace had cancelled out Tom McCready’s opener but James McCarten levelled before the break and Shane Duffy headed home a second-half winner.

“We lost the game to three set-pieces, which is always disappointing,” McAuley said.

“We were the best side, that is for sure, and dominated the game for large periods.

“We played very well and created some good chances. We scored two good goals from Dalla Valle and had more chances to equalise but we didn’t take them.

“But part of the game is defending and at set-pieces we didn’t do that and consequently that cost us.”

If McAuley’s youngsters beat Chelsea tonight they will earn another home tie at Anfield in the quarter-finals against Bolton.

The last time the two clubs met in the FA Youth Cup was in the fourth round two years ago when goals from Jimmy Ryan and Ray Putterill consigned Chelsea to a 2-0 defeat at Anfield.

Due to tonight’s tie Liverpool’s scheduled Academy League fixture with Stoke City on Saturday has been postponed.

No comments: