Date: 20th July 2011 at 10:00pm
Written by:

Liverpool have been chosen as one of 16 elite footballing academies to compete in the inaugural NextGen Series; also competing are the likes of Barcelona, Inter Milan, Manchester City and Ajax. For those who have only just become aware of this competition, it is basically a Champions League for U19 players. For more information visit the NextGen website, or check out this very informative Q&A session from the Mail Online. Liverpool kick-off the competition on 17.08.11 against Sporting Lisbon.

In my opinion the NextGen Series will be pivotal to the commercial and footballing future of Liverpool Football Club. We cannot afford to take this competition lightly, as I fear some of the clubs involved may do. This competition must take priority over the Reserves’ league and the U18’s league, it is imperative we do not send a weakened squad of trialists and reserve misfits, we must try to view this competition as we do the League Cup, in many ways; we cannot afford to dismiss it as an inconvenience. Eligible for this competition are the likes of: Raheem Sterling, John Flannagan, Jack Robinson, Jonjo Shelvey, Suso, Danny Wilson, Connor Coady and Dani Pacheco (Teams may include 3 over age players, who are 20 on August 17) .If it were up to me I would play them all and prioritize this competition, allow me to outline my argument why.

If we were to include this caliber of player in the NextGen Series it would increase the media interest in the competition (Many journalists are very eager to watch Raheem Sterling play, for example) and thus make it a more prestigious competition to win. Therefore if we were to win, which I believe we would be favorites to do if we included these players, it would increase the academy’s exposure and confirm the elite status of our academy. Winning this competition, and the added media attention that would come with it, means Liverpool FC would be in a strong position to attract the rising stars of European football. An influx of Europe’s top young players could mean at best that Liverpool FC would once again dominate European Football, at worst it would mean the Club could generate more income from selling these players on after they mature.

We are also approaching a season where Liverpool FC have a dangerously bloated squad, and no senior European competitions, so many of our young stars may find it hard to get a game in the first team. In my opinion keeping are young players to play in this competition, rather than shipping them out on loan, would give them useful experience of a European competition, against high-level players in top squads; thus meaning they will be less daunted when they eventually make the step up into the first team and find themselves walking out into the Nou Camp or the San Siro, for example.

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10 responses to “Why the NextGen Series is very important to Liverpool”

  1. Jimmy says:

    They would also grow stronger in the future,for knowing the strength of their opponents when they come to play in the Champions league in the years to come.
    You couldnt get better knowledge than to play them now.
    And watch them shine !! .

  2. tony says:

    do u no if we will be able to watch these games on tv

  3. Oscar says:

    The creators are in talks with ESPN but it might clash with other competitions. The group stages are likely to be shown on LFC TV and the finals are set to be held in Abu Dabhi and will probably be televised.

  4. Ibby says:

    I admire how much effort has actually been put into this post. The research is spot on. I think you’ve made some really valid points and I for one am very excited for this competition to begin! =)

  5. 'Will says:

    I think it’s 3 players 18 on Jan 1st, as it’s set out to be Under 18 rather than 18 and under like most comps

  6. 'Will says:

    Sorry I meant 19

  7. 'Will says:

    Totally agree we should play full strength teams.
    Isn’t it lucky it started this year?
    We missed out on the Europa League which in my view means we need to play full strength senior teams in the 3 domestic competitions.
    As this piece correctly points out – now our young stars will have a great opportunity to showcase their talents.

  8. 'Will says:

    Yeah according to NexGen twitter account it’s

    NextGeneration (@NextGenSeries)
    05/07/2011 13:12
    @asandis The squad need to be 01.01.93 or after and 3 players are allowed to be 01.01.92.

  9. Abhi says:

    I think pacheco since he’s already 20 and i honestly think he will be loaned out or even sold. But the new striker we are goin to buy. Thats marco buena, he could be getting in this competition. By the way Liverpool will do take this competetion seriously. Its not like Europa where u r qualified without interest. Its an invitation to clubs who UEFA feel possess strong Academy. And manure’s not there. So its an option and liverpool happily entered which shows we are serious about this and as u told many youngsters like u mentioned will involve. But i am not sure about commercial side of things as academy and its competitions are about getting place in 1st team not winning trophies.

  10. olanrewaju micheal says:

    i think this is a good news for Liverpool to be involved in the first U19 champs league first of its kind. i also believe it would give our young, talented boys the chance to showcase their skill and also would give them experience and exposure money can’t buy. i hope their coach (Rodolfo Borello)and the Liverpool board would allow the likes of Raheem, coady, Morgan, Ngoo and Amoo to be part of the team for this competition. i know we’re going to win it cuz we got the players and coaching crews. so let’s make history as the first team to win it and the first from U.K. let us remember that this is a competition the likes of Arsenal,Man U, Chelsea and Real Madrid were disappointed not to be part of.YNWA.