Liverpool’s youngsters have just given us a pretty good reminder of what this club’s academy can produce.
Rob Page’s side looked in serious trouble against LASK in the UEFA Youth League, falling 2-0 behind and facing the prospect of a disappointing afternoon in Austria.
But they refused to fold.
Instead, Liverpool produced a superb comeback to win 4-2, with Will Wright scoring a hat-trick and 15-year-old Luca Eden also getting his name on the scoresheet.
And I have to say, there is something particularly satisfying about watching a young Liverpool side show that sort of character.
They could easily have let the game drift away from them after going two goals behind.
They didn’t.
They fought back, took control and eventually left with a result that will give them plenty of confidence going into their next Youth League fixture.
Will Wright was the star of the show
Let’s start with Wright, because he deserves the attention.
The Liverpool captain produced a fantastic performance, scoring three times as Page’s team turned the game around.
LASK had taken the lead through Paul Krapf in the first half before Jonas Ilk doubled their advantage early in the second period.
At 2-0, Liverpool had a mountain to climb.
But Wright gave them the opening they needed, pulling a goal back in the 57th minute after being played through by Eden.
Just three minutes later, he struck again, heading home Joe Upton’s cross to bring Liverpool level.
Suddenly, the whole game had changed.
Liverpool had gone from looking beaten to believing they could win it.
And Wright wasn’t finished.
Late in the game, after helping create Liverpool’s third goal, he stepped up to convert a penalty in the 89th minute and complete his hat-trick.
It was a terrific individual performance from the young striker, who took his season’s tally to nine goals in eight games.
That’s an impressive return by any standard.
Luca Eden is another name to remember
Wright will quite rightly take most of the headlines, but Eden deserves plenty of credit too.
The 15-year-old midfielder played the pass that sent Wright through for Liverpool’s first goal, helping spark the comeback.
Then, with the game still finely balanced, he got himself on the scoresheet in the 84th minute.
Erik Farkas played a clever ball through to Wright, whose initial effort was saved. Wright kept the move alive and squared the ball across goal for Eden to finish.
That made it 3-2 to Liverpool and put Page’s side in front for the first time.
For a player who is only 15, being involved in a match of this intensity is valuable experience.
I’m always cautious about getting carried away with academy prospects. Young players need time, patience and the opportunity to develop without supporters placing enormous expectations on their shoulders.
But performances like this are certainly encouraging.
Eden contributed to two important goals in a game Liverpool desperately needed to turn around.
That’s something to be pleased about.
The character matters as much as the scoreline
What I like most about this result is the response.
Liverpool weren’t perfect. They made mistakes early on and gave LASK opportunities to take control. Going two goals behind showed that there is still plenty for Page to work on with this group.
But the reaction was excellent.
The introduction of AJ Yeguo at half-time helped Liverpool look more dangerous, particularly down the left. The Reds began to stretch LASK, create better attacking situations and put pressure on their opponents.
Wright took his chances, Eden delivered when it mattered and Liverpool found a way to win.
That is an important lesson for young players.
Talent matters, but so does how you respond when a game isn’t going your way.
Liverpool’s youngsters could have become frustrated after conceding twice. Instead, they kept going and were rewarded for it.
That mentality is just as encouraging as the four goals.
Rob Page has reasons to be encouraged
Page will obviously be delighted with the result, but he will also know that the first half and early stages of the second need examining.
Liverpool cannot afford to keep giving opponents a two-goal head start and expect Wright to rescue them every time.
The defensive mistakes were a warning, and stronger opposition may punish them more severely.
Nevertheless, winning away from home in Europe after falling two goals behind is a significant achievement.
It also comes after Liverpool drew 2-2 with Atlético Madrid in their opening Youth League fixture, having led that game 2-0 before conceding a late equaliser.
This time, the youngsters made sure the story ended differently.
They didn’t let the advantage slip away once they had fought their way back into the contest.
Instead, Wright’s late penalty put the result beyond doubt.
Liverpool’s academy is giving us plenty to watch
There is a reason I enjoy keeping an eye on Liverpool’s younger players.
Not every youngster will make it into the first team, and we shouldn’t expect them all to do so. But these competitions give us a glimpse of the talent coming through and the personalities being developed at the club.
Wright’s goalscoring form is clearly worth following.
Eden’s contribution at just 15 is another encouraging sign.
And the way Page’s side recovered from 2-0 down suggests this group has the determination to compete even when things go wrong.
Liverpool’s next Youth League fixture is against Villarreal on October 20, giving the youngsters another opportunity to build on this performance.
I’d love to see them carry this confidence into that game.
The defensive issues need addressing, but there is plenty to like about the attacking response.
Will Wright scored a hat-trick, Luca Eden showed his quality, and Liverpool turned a disastrous position into a brilliant victory.
That’s a very good afternoon’s work for Rob Page and his players.
And after watching them fight back from two goals down, Liverpool supporters have every reason to be encouraged.
Jamie (The Kopite View)
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