'This competition has been a learning curve for us all'
Barry Lewtas believes the players and coaches involved with Liverpool U21s have been on 'huge learning curves' in the EFL Trophy this season.
The young Reds head to Port Vale in their final match in the newly-renamed Papa John's Trophy on Tuesday evening, with qualification from the group stage not possible following defeats to Wigan Athletic and Tranmere Rovers.
However, Lewtas’ U23s team has formed the basis of the U21s side this term and they head to Vale Park in strong form having picked up victories over Chelsea, Arsenal and West Ham United in recent weeks.
Read on for Lewtas’ pre-match thoughts...
On the benefits of playing in this competition again this season…
I would say both games have been huge learning curves for both the players and staff as a group. We entered it with the intention, as we do with all of our games, of winning the games we play. There were moments in the Wigan game which I think we managed to fix in the Tranmere game, and we felt we were very unfortunate to lose that. I’m not often one to say this but we felt a little hard done by against Tranmere. I thought we played ever so well and to lose it right at the end, even though we take the responsibility for, was tough to take. Although we can’t qualify we certainly want to try and make sure we win one of these games, so we’ll be going to Vale Park up against a good Port Vale team. I know they lost in the FA Cup at the weekend so no doubt they will be a little bit sore and want to bounce back after that result. We haven’t looked at their loss as a benefit and if anything we’ve kind of said to the boys their manager will be out to put things right so we’ll be expecting the best Port Vale team possible.
LFCTV GO: The best of the U23s' win at West Ham
On his team’s performances so far this season…
We have been really pleased. Results have been positive over recent weeks and probably what has been more pleasing over the course of the season so far has been the level of performances, the way we have played and the way we have dealt with certain moments in a game. Winning games doesn’t always come by the way we want to play in terms of in possession all the time and creating chances, and there’s been moments in games where we have had to dig in and show real good resolve and also deal with setbacks. Along the course of the season so far we’ve been able to do that so that’s been probably the real pleasing part, how we have managed to adjust to each situation.
On the return from suspension of Leighton Clarkson…
Leighton has been a big part of my teams for the last two-and-a-half years and when he is out of the team we do miss him. We had to readjust the last three games he has been out, but I’ve got to say Tom Clayton moved into midfield, scored two goals for us, and has been excellent. The quality of our play has still been there and that’s a testament to Tom’s versatility and his quality. We played Leighton a lot higher up the field against West Ham and he has that versatility as well. It’s great to have Leighton back and he certainly adds quality to the group.
On the eye-catching form of captain Liam Millar…
Liam will take a lot from scoring against West Ham and hopefully he can kick on and get more goals for us now because he certainly deserves it. Liam is working so hard on his finishing in training and in terms of his maturity he is one of the older ones in our group and is leading the team on the field extremely well. He will be a bit disappointed with a few chances that he has missed in the games so far but at the same time, a lot of the chances he has created himself from his own individual play. For Liam’s development and where he wants his career to move forward and the direction he wants to go, he knows that numbers are an important part of his game, but he is creating chances for others, for himself and the aim now is to get a few more goals. We are not putting more pressure on him because he is working so hard in training and I’m sure the harder he works, that will come and the pieces will come together.
On the hip injury picked up by midfielder Elijah Dixon-Bonner…
It’s really unfortunate for Elijah but injuries are part of football. When players pick up injuries it is a shame for anybody’s career but for these young lads who are trying to force their way into the game picking up injuries can halt things. We are always disappointed when we lose a player for weeks or months. Obviously Elijah picked up an injury last year but it was an even longer absence for him because of the long break we had due to COVID-19. It’s disappointing for Elijah but it’s also a time for him to get himself back again and work on other parts of his development. Elijah is a positive boy and I’m sure he is going to approach his rehab in the right frame of mind. It’s not an injury that will keep him out for the season so he’s got to stay positive and move forward.
Watch extended highlights of Port Vale v Liverpool U21s on LFCTV and LFCTV GO on Wednesday.