'We were convincing winners'
Neil Critchley was full of praise for his players after his U18s side produced a superb display to reach the quarter-finals of the FA Youth Cup after a 2-0 win over Watford on Wednesday night.
Goals from Daniel Trickett-Smith and Harry Wilson sealed their trip to Reading in the next stage of the competition, and the boss was delighted with the application and performance of his young players.
"I thought we played really well and we showed what we are about as an Academy with the boys playing possession football," Critchley told Liverpoolfc.com.
"I thought we controlled the play, scored goals at the right time. We knew Watford would be a good test and they were but in the end we were convincing winners.
"With our attacking threat we know we are going to score goals. Watford defended in numbers and we asked the boys to be patient and sometimes that's difficult because they are inexperienced and they can be excitable and show their inexperience, but some of our play around the box was very good.
"It was also very pleasing to keep a clean sheet and I thought our two centre backs are a really good partnership and they have done well for us in the youth cup."
Captain Connor Randall was an inspirational figure with two assists from right-back, but Critchley was quick to reserve the plaudits for the team.
He added: "I thought Connor was very good but a lot of the players were very good and I wouldn't want to single one out above the others, although he did have a good influence on the game and he had a hand in both goals.
"It was a real good team performance and we are delighted.
"There's a real togetherness with the players. They all look out for each other and there's no big ego's. They are very humble people and they are great to work with.
"It was good to have Ryan Fulton back in goal after injury. He didn't have to do much but he brings a calmness and an assurance to our defence."
Striker Jerome Sinclair also returned to action after being sidelined when he came on as a 75th minute substitute and Critchley is hoping he can now have an injury free run in the side and get back to what he does best by scoring goals.
He said: "It was nice to have Jerome back because he's a goalscorer, and when he came on he was sharp and had two great chances.
"He can finish chances off for us and it's nice to see him back on the pitch and hopefully we can keep him fit now."
The young Reds now face a quarter-final trip to Reading on a date to be arranged, and Critchley is relishing the clash at the Madejski Stadium.
He added: "It's a lovely stadium with a lovely pitch and it will be a tough game. We played Reading earlier this season and managed to win that game, but on a cup night who knows what can happen and it will be a tough test but we are certainly looking forward to it."