'Unselfishly setting up teammates sums up what we are all about'
Fidel O’Rourke’s tap-in from a Layton Stewart cross that put the finishing touches on Liverpool U18s’ impressive 3-0 win over Blackburn Rovers was the perfect showcase of what this team is all about, according to boss Barry Lewtas.
Stewart, who was a double marksman, was on a hat-trick himself but unselfishly squared the ball across to his strike partner to secure the three points on Saturday.
Lewtas fielded a very young team during the U18s' first outing of 2020, with regulars Leighton Clarkson, Jake Cain, Tom Hill and James Norris moving up to U23 level.
Read on for Lewtas’ thoughts on his side’s impressive outing in the Kirkby sunshine…
On a winning start to 2020…
It was pleasing because we had such a young team. We had three U15 players on our bench and we had an U16 player starting. I said to the boys before the game we have got our way of playing and we believe in them but they’ve got to show that and believe in themselves. I thought we kept the ball ever so well and in the second half we were a lot more creative. To score three goals and keep a clean sheet was fantastic.
On the threat of strike duo O’Rourke and Stewart…
We’ve probably been unfortunate so far that we haven’t been able to pair them up more often because they both missed some action through injury. They have also moved up to the U23s team, which is great, so we’ve not really had them together enough. I think it showed against Blackburn that if we can get them onto the pitch together it’s great. But at the same time if we get one with us and the other with the U23s then that’s great as well. I thought when they ran in behind more especially in the second half they were a real threat.
LFCTV GO: Watch the Blackburn highlights
On O’Rourke’s goal to make it 3-0 when Stewart, who could have got a hat-trick, unselfishly squared the ball to his strike partner…
It sums up this team and it was a really important moment in the game. I know we had good control but the third goal probably wins the game. Layton set up Fidel for a tap-in and that is what it’s about, the team. It’s about making the right decisions for the team, so I was really pleased with that goal.
On the influence of Tyler Morton in midfield who stood up to the plate in the absence of Clarkson and Cain…
That’s important and it was the challenge we set Tyler. He’s got to be Tyler Morton and not Jake or Leighton. At the same time when you take their assists and goals this season for us out of the team, somebody has got to come in and replace them – and Tyler certainly did that for us. He should be really pleased and hopefully that is a big confidence boost for him.
Liverpool U18s are back in action on Saturday morning when they travel to Stoke City – a game you can watch live online at 11am GMT with our single camera coverage on LFCTV GO.