Liverpool Academy coach Hughie McAuley says his side still have it all to do if they are to reach the final of the FA Youth Cup.
Holding a 3-0 lead over Birmingham City from the first leg, McAuley’s Under-18 side go into tomorrow evening’s deciding tie with a clear advantage but the boss is dismissing their ‘favourites’ tag.
Instead McAuley is demanding his young stars continue to practice the simple side of football as they look to secure a place in the final against Arsenal who beat Manchester City this week.
The Reds’ cause was helped in last week’s convincing win at St Andrews with a double strike from Finnish ace Lauri Dalla Valle and one from David Amoo, a player who has already featured in Gary Ablett’s reserve team set-up.
McAuley said: “The first half display was very, very good. It was 3-0 by half-time but in the second half it was not quite at the same tempo.
“That is certainly a normal reaction for many teams, including the top sides, but at the same time it is still not good enough, though we have got to be happy with the final scoreline.
“We have just got to repeat the scoreline on Friday and do the right things, that is the message to the players – basically it is only half-time in the game and we have to play again, keep the ball down and make Birmingham work.
“We have to put them under pressure because I am sure they will do the same to us.
“Hopefully we can create chances to score goals as well as keeping our shape to defend well – we have just got to play our normal game, that is the simple message.
“In the first leg it was a great all round team effort from everybody but naturally the stand out players included Joe Kennedy and David Amoo but more importantly we have the same squad available for tomorrow night which is pleasing.”
As much as cup success would delight McAuley, he continues to insist he true goal at Liverpool’s Academy is to help his fledgling stars move into the reserve and first team set-ups at Melwood.
He added: “My main objective, long term, is always to try and get these players to Melwood. We always try and create a winning mentality at the club but we also aware we are trying to build the experience of these young lads and accept that we have to take results as they come.”
Holding a 3-0 lead over Birmingham City from the first leg, McAuley’s Under-18 side go into tomorrow evening’s deciding tie with a clear advantage but the boss is dismissing their ‘favourites’ tag.
Instead McAuley is demanding his young stars continue to practice the simple side of football as they look to secure a place in the final against Arsenal who beat Manchester City this week.
The Reds’ cause was helped in last week’s convincing win at St Andrews with a double strike from Finnish ace Lauri Dalla Valle and one from David Amoo, a player who has already featured in Gary Ablett’s reserve team set-up.
McAuley said: “The first half display was very, very good. It was 3-0 by half-time but in the second half it was not quite at the same tempo.
“That is certainly a normal reaction for many teams, including the top sides, but at the same time it is still not good enough, though we have got to be happy with the final scoreline.
“We have just got to repeat the scoreline on Friday and do the right things, that is the message to the players – basically it is only half-time in the game and we have to play again, keep the ball down and make Birmingham work.
“We have to put them under pressure because I am sure they will do the same to us.
“Hopefully we can create chances to score goals as well as keeping our shape to defend well – we have just got to play our normal game, that is the simple message.
“In the first leg it was a great all round team effort from everybody but naturally the stand out players included Joe Kennedy and David Amoo but more importantly we have the same squad available for tomorrow night which is pleasing.”
As much as cup success would delight McAuley, he continues to insist he true goal at Liverpool’s Academy is to help his fledgling stars move into the reserve and first team set-ups at Melwood.
He added: “My main objective, long term, is always to try and get these players to Melwood. We always try and create a winning mentality at the club but we also aware we are trying to build the experience of these young lads and accept that we have to take results as they come.”
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