'The FA Youth Cup is special, we want to do well'
Marc Bridge-Wilkinson believes the FA Youth Cup can bring the best out of his players as they begin their campaign in the tournament tonight.
The four-times winners of the competition host Sutton United in the third round at the Academy, with the winners setting up a trip to Manchester United in the next stage.
Kick-off in Kirkby is at 7pm GMT, and viewers in the UK can watch the game live on LFCTV and LFCTV GO, with our coverage starting at 6.45pm.
Ahead of the tie, Bridge-Wilkinson told us what the challenge of playing in the FA Youth Cup means to him and his players...
On how pleased he has been with his team this season…
The boys have done great, I have to say. Our team has been changing quite regularly with the injuries that we've had but the lads that have come in from the U16 team have done really well.
On the challenges presented in the FA Youth Cup…
We are looking forward to the game. It's a big competition for U18s football, so we are all excited and looking forward to it. The FA Youth Cup is a brilliant competition and it excites us as staff as well as all the players. You look at the FA Cup in men's football and what it means, well this is the youth version. We are really hoping we can do well, the lads are looking forward to it and it's a very exciting challenge for us. The interesting thing for the lads playing in the FA Youth Cup is if they are lucky they get two shots at playing in it, as they play as first years and then second years. Some boys for whatever reason, injuries etc, may only get one go at it, so it does hold a real close place in our hearts and we are hoping we can do well in it.
Highlights: U18s win 3-0 at Newcastle last time out
On playing under the Kirkby lights…
Brilliant and it's exactly why we have done it for. We wanted the game to be a little bit special, a little bit different and playing in front of the lights is something the boys aren't used to. I think it will hold a special night for the boys.
On the test to be posed by Sutton United…
The first thing to say is, we will definitely treat Sutton United with respect. They have done really well to get to this point in the tournament so far and we won't be taking them lightly whatsoever. It's a great opportunity for them to come and play football at our place and we've got to do our job and make sure that we do it properly.