Two late goals from Egypt knock England out of the U20 World Cup in the final match of group play, following in the footsteps of the U21s' failures at the Euros earlier in the month.
Another international tournament another disappointing display from England, this time as the U20s crash out of the World Cup at the end of group play after a loss to Egypt. In need of a win after Uruguay's victory earlier in the day, England couldn't find the goals they needed, and were ultimately undone by a moment of brilliance from Trezeget and a soft defense unable to recover after pushing so many men forward.
Conor Coady played all ninety minutes and again captained England, while Jon Flanagan was left on the bench to watch the second English exit in the group stages during the month of June. Coady was burned badly by Trezeget for the winner, but minutes later delivered an inch-perfect cross to Harry Kane, whose headed effort was saved well by Awad Mossad before he pushed the rebound wide.
Just like that--after tomorrow's Confederations Cup matches--nearly all of Liverpool's internationals are done with meaningful competition for the month, with the transfer window set to open and preseason preparations ready to begin. We'll have Suso to follow as the knockout stages of the World Cup begin, but we're not too far away from all Liverpool, all the time. And that's a very good thing.
Not unlike this bit of sweetness from Trezeget, who skins Conor Coady en route to Egypt's winner:
Conor Coady will skipper England in their FIFA U20 World Cup match against Egypt tonight - and it's a game that his side could need to win if they are to keep their tournament hopes alive.
It's been a largely frustrating tournament for Coady and teammate Jon Flanagan so far, with Peter Taylor's outfit having drawn both of their opening games.
Coady was on target in the first game; however, after opening up a 2-0 lead over Iraq, the Young Lions switched off to concede twice and were forced to settle for a point.
Tottenham's Harry Kane then salvaged a point for England on Thursday night after they fell behind to Chile in the first half. Flanagan missed the game completely as Taylor's side were held to another draw.
It means that after two matches, Iraq and Chile top Group E with four points, England sit third with two - and Egypt are bottom having collected no points so far.
A win tonight would see England through to the knock-out phase. A draw could also see them qualify, as the tournament rules allow for four of the best third-placed sides from across the six groups to progress.
The game in Bursa gets underway at 7pm BST - and we'll bring you a match report on Liverpoolfc.com once the final whistle has blown.
PERHAPS the biggest challenge for a club that is trying to reach the top is to find the balance between developing its own players and satisfy the demands from the fans and their hunger for instant success. This is particularly true for clubs in the Barclays Premier League.
Since the restructuring of the English top division and the vastly improved club economy, the league has become a money-driven rat race where the clubs have no other choice than jumping on the money train in order to compete.
Whether it’s about challenging for the title or simply staying in the league, relatively significant financial muscles are needed.
All of this is old news of course. One of the reasons why Liverpool FC are where they are right now is because the club never took advantage of the opportunities that came along when things took off in the 90s. They had a good and young generation of players who were the core of a highly promising team, but the club failed to capitalise on the commercial side and in the end never were able to build the strong foundation that was really needed to take LFC into the new millennium. Also old news.
Liverpool is said to be a good place for young players to be at the moment, and also has a manager who is not afraid to use them. For a while though, the club didn’t seem to put much emphasis on promoting players from the academy. The best ones like Carragher, Owen and Gerrard made it through and established themselves anyway, but perhaps more because of their special talent or by the virtue of their strong character than anything else. Special players always rise to the top, irrespective of circumstances.
What happened during the Houllier years was that the promotion of academy talent seemingly became neglected in favour of building a strong first team. Something obviously had to give; it was either that or the other way around, taking the longer term approach and focus on giving more youngsters the chance to grow into a first team role.
Looking at the players Liverpool are being heavily linked to and the players Rodgers have bought so far we can see the pattern: the club is buying young players who are meant to both contribute here and now, but also to develop into better players given time. There will be no quick fix to take the club back to the top straight away; Liverpool FC are working within a budget that is relatively limited compared to the top teams – both in terms of wages and in terms of money available for transfers – and this is the direction the club seem to have settled on for now.
The question I’m asking though is this: Is this direction to be considered as a path of development or is it a compromise?
With the possible signings of Luis Alberto from Sevilla, Tiago Ilori from Sporting and Christian Atsu from Porto in mind, can it be argued that these are signings that could end up blocking some the club’s youngsters’ way into the first team, and that the club thereby strays away from its direction; or is this players that are needed to make the first team stronger as well as – given their young age – obviously being players who fit the development profile?
The way I see it, the club is indeed settling for some kind of compromise. The history of Liverpool Football Club brings a certain burden with it, albeit the good kind of burden. What was once great can become great again, and this history means that nobody in charge of running the club will ever be allowed to settle with mediocrity. No matter the circumstances there will always be huge expectations around having a competitive first team, but simultaneously there’s also the expectation of introducing some of the promising youngsters to the first team – which is perfectly natural given the group of players the club has at U21 and U18 level.
But are Liverpool FC in a position to play these youngsters? Can we as fans realistically expect to see another Raheem Sterling and Andre Wisdom being introduced every season while also expect the team to get back into the Champions League and challenge for trophies, or are we not yet in a position to combine the two?
I don’t think we can expect it; not while in the position the club currently finds itself in. LFC don’t have the ‘luxury’ of developing slowly and peacefully right now; nor is the club’s first team competitive enough to carry one or two youngsters while upholding expectations.
Which is why I think some of our talented youngsters – players we ideally would like to see as members of the first team squad – will have to wait a couple of years before getting the chance to establish themselves in the team.
Conor Coady admits England were left frustrated after allowing a two-goal lead to slip in Sunday night's 2-2 draw with Iraq at the FIFA U20 World Cup finals.
The Liverpool midfielder gave the Young Lions a 41st minute lead with a header before Luke Williams doubled their advantage after half-time in Turkey.
However, Iraq fought back in the Group E opener to claim a point.
"I thought in the first half, it was a good team performance," said Coady, who skippered England.
"We got the ball down and moved quite well so we deserved the lead going into half-time.
"In the second half, I thought we were a bit too defensive and on the back foot, but to be fair to them they came out and pressed us.
"We're bitterly disappointed."
England are next in action on Wednesday when they take on Chile.
The South Americans kicked off with a 2-1 victory over Egypt and Coady knows they'll provide a stern test.
"We've got to be positive now and pick ourselves up tomorrow," he added.
"We've got a massive game on Wednesday and we need to go out and win that.
"It will be a good test for the lads against Chile, we've seen them and they look very technical and a good side.
"We're hoping to get a win there."
It is not easy to find reasons to be cheerful about English football right now.
But England’s Under-20 squad, who kick off their World Cup campaign against Iraq in Turkey tonight, may just be one.
Liverpool youngster Conor Coady, who will captain the Under-20 side, certainly thinks so after growing up with England’s first group of winners in 17 years.
He skippered the Under-17 team that won the 2010 European Championship and sealed the country’s first silverware in an international men’s tournament since 1993.
Four other members of that squad are now with the Under-20s, while a further five also played with Coady in the Under-19s team that got to the European Championships semi-finals last summer.
The Under-21s may have retired to various beaches after the disastrous tournament which cost Stuart Pearce his job, but 20-year-old Coady insists he and his team-mates can restore some national pride.
He said: “This squad have got a winning mentality. We have a core that have come up from winning the Under-17 tournament and others who did well for the Under-19s.
“We are used to winning games and beating good teams, and the other lads who have come in can take on that mentality. We go out to win and we’ll be very disappointed if we come home early. We want to get as far as possible and win every game.”
Coady and the Under-17s beat Spain in the final three years ago, and the impressive defensive midfielder would much rather spend his summers testing himself against the world’s best than putting his feet up by the sea.
He added: “You can either be here with the Under-20s or be on holiday somewhere. And I’m sure all the lads with us would rather be here. “I don’t think you are going to improve unless you play in tournaments like this and test yourself against the best.
“During the Under-17s, we played against Spanish lads, like Gerard Deulofeu, who’s at Barcelona, and a good striker called Paco.
“Paul Pogba is playing at this tournament for France, and he’s been playing for Juventus and has played in the Champions League.
“I like watching Spanish and Italian games and looking at how they play compared to us. So, I like to test myself against those types of players. You come away better at playing against different players and styles.”
Having made his Premier League debut for Liverpool in May, Coady is aware he may have to juggle club and country commitments.
But, having received advice from Liverpool and England captain Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher, Coady insists club and country are equally important to him.
He said: “I always believe you give your all for whoever you’re playing for, whatever shirt you put on. You play for that team and you want to win for that team – whether I’m wearing a Liverpool shirt or an England shirt.”
3 FIFA announced yesterday that referees will use vanishing spray for the first time at the Under-20s World Cup.
It marks a white line on the grass where teams defending a free-kick must stand, but disappears inside two minutes. It will be used on a trial basis in all 52 matches.
Now see the top ten U20 World Cup players Premier League clubs should be watching this month.
Three Englishmen to watch:TOM THORPE (Defender, Manchester United)
Thorpe was part of the Under-17 squad that became 2010 European champions and captained England U-19s to the Euro 2012 semi-finals. The 20-year-old likes to pass the ball out from the back and can also play as a holding midfielder.
ROSS BARKLEY (Midfielder, Everton)
The most recognisable member of the U-20 squad, Barkley has long been touted as a star of the future. Martin Keown claimed 19-year-old Barkley “will be one of the best players we have ever seen in this country” and Tim Cahill said the youngster was the most talented footballer he had worked with.
HARRY KANE (Striker, Tottenham)
Kane played a major part in the U-19s’ progression to the semi-finals of last year’s European Championships, scoring the winner against France in the final group stage game. He was voted Millwall’s Young Player of the Year while on loan at the Den and has also spent time on loan at Leyton Orient, Norwich and most recently Leicester.
Liverpool transfer news: Reports claim Reds to sign Herbie Kane from Bristol City
Liverpool have beaten competition from a number of Premier League rivals to sign Bristol City teenager Herbie Kane, according to Sky Sports.
The 14-year-old midfielder has already been promoted to the City under-18s team, and is tipped to represent England at under-16 level.
And he becomes the second teenager to quit City for a Premier League club after his teammate Jacob Maddox joined Chelsea earlier this week.
Kane has been compared to Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard, and will get the best opportunity to learn from the great England midfielder by playing for the same club - abet on a much younger team.
League One City will receive compensation for Kane, but it comes as a bitter blow for the club so soon after losing Maddox - another of their top young prospects.
Both players had been fast-tracked into the under-18s and were tipped for a bright future at Aston Gate.
But they will begin next season with their Premier League clubs. Sky Sports reports a number of top flight teams were interested in Kane, but Anfield was always his first choice.
Brendan Rodgers has shown he's not afraid to give youth team players a chance to impress, with Andre Wisdom, Suso and Raheem Sterling all given extended first-team minutes last term.
But at 14-years-old, it could still be a while before we see Kane in a Liverpool senior shirt.
German ace Nicole Rolser struck twice as Liverpool Ladies ensured they finish the first part of the Women's Super League season on top of the league after a thumping 4-1 win over Birmingham on Saturday night.
Matt Beard's side thrashed Everton by the same scoreline in the derby in midweek and now head to the break in fantastic spirits.
The new-look team sit proudly at the top of the table and the Reds will resume their Super League programme on Sunday, August 4 with the eagerly awaited return clash with Arsenal.
The ladies got off to a great start inside the opening 14 minutes when Rolser fired them into the lead after Natasha Dowie had struck a post.
However, the visitors got back into the game and equalised on 25 minutes.
Just before half-time the lead was restored when Lucy Bronze headed home from a corner.
Birmingham fought hard for an equaliser and Liverpool had an almighty let-off after 63 minutes when Jo Potter's strike came back off both posts and somehow stayed out.
Jess Holbrook nearly made it 3-1 in the 68th minute when she let fly with a great effort that smashed against the post.
Then on 78 minutes Dowie was unlucky when her close-range header was brilliantly kept out.
Beard's side eventually got the vital third goal when Dowie deflected a Fara Williams effort into the net to make it 10 goals from 12 games, and Rolser then made it 4-1 with a fine strike.
Liverpool Ladies have treated us to some sparkling football this term and sit proudly on top of the Women's Super League. As they prepare to host Birmingham on Saturday night we invite you to watch the best of their season so far.
From the brilliant midweek 4-1 derby win over Everton through to the superb thrashing of Arsenal at the Emirates, Matt Beard's side have certainly caught the eye.
Click play below to watch the clips.
After guiding his Liverpool Ladies team to a handsome 4-1 derby victory over neighbours Everton on Tuesday, manager Matt Beard explained that the women's side is performing above expectations.
The Ladies have now won four of their five league fixtures to date and top the fledgling Women's Super League standings; next up for Beard's charges is a home encounter with Birmingham on Saturday evening.
Ahead of Father's Day, a special promotion is available for the match, which kicks off at 7.15pm BST at Halton Stadium - dads can purchase tickets at half-price and bring their children along for £1 each.
Beard previewed the clash and reflected on the Ladies' performances so far this season in an interview with LFC TV on Wednesday; read on for a full transcript of the chat.
Congratulations on a fantastic result last night - you must be delighted with that win over Everton...
Last night was going to be the toughest of the three games we've got, especially with it being a derby and at Everton. But the performance from start to finish was fantastic. For the first time over the course of 90 minutes, I was pleased with what we did throughout the whole game. It was a great performance.
You've had a really good start to the season so far but this is the first time you've felt that everything has come together in one performance...
We've been playing well in bits and bobs in games. Last night, Everton came out and started really well - we dealt with in the first five or 10 minutes. After that we played some fantastic football, we got the goal through Nicole and their goalkeeper made two or three good saves in the first half as well. It was a completely dominant performance. If I'm going to be critical of one thing, it was the way we conceded the goal; it was a counter from our corner, which was disappointing. But the pleasing thing was the character the players showed - they never panicked, they kept playing our game and we eventually ran out comfortable winners.
You had a bit of a situation going into the game with your goalkeeper, though?
We've had a few injury worries this week, especially with the international break that we've just had. Katrin came back with a pulled hamstring so she's out - she was out last night and again this weekend. Both goalkeepers have hurt their knees so we signed Rachel Laws on emergency loan. To be fair to Rachel, considering she only met the players in the dressing room before the game she put in a fantastic performance. It was pleasing.
It was in front of a really good crowd, around 1,100 on the night - that must give the girls a boost?
The crowds have been good throughout this year anyway, but it was a great atmosphere last night. There were quite a few Liverpool supporters there, which was really pleasing. Hopefully the ones that came saw the football that we play, the commitment and passion the players have got, and will come to our game on Saturday night at Halton.
You're hoping to carry that crowd forward and it's a special night on Saturday - a Father's Day promotion. Tell us a bit more about how people can get involved...
We're having a father, daughter, son day at the ground, where the kids can get in for £1. The season ticket holders and members get into our games for free anyway, and then the dads can come in at half-price if they are not members or season ticket holders. Women's football is a family game; what you see from the players is complete honesty, on and off the pitch. The football that we're playing is good. Saturday is going to be a big test for us as well because Birmingham are one of the stronger teams in the country - so it will be a fantastic game to come and watch. It will be a good evening for the families, especially with the weather as it is, to come and watch the game and hopefully cheer us on to another three points which would leave us top of the league going into the mid-season break.
This is a very different Liverpool Ladies team than we've seen in recent seasons. This is a team that genuinely feels they can challenge for the league this season and go on to have great success...
We're going to keep our feet grounded and on the floor. We've had a very good start to the season; we've had two good cup runs as well so far. The most important thing is that when we set our targets for the first half of the season it was to be there and thereabouts. I think we're a little bit ahead of what our targets were - it's in our hands now. We'll review the first half of the season and make sure that we continue to improve and progress week in, week out. And we'll also maybe use this break as an opportunity to see if we can strengthen the squad as well.
Jordan Henderson insists tiredness will not be an issue for any of the players as he prepares for the 'great honour' of captaining England at this summer's U21 European Championships in Israel.
The Three Lions get their tournament underway against Fabio Borini's Italy in Tel Aviv tonight, with many members of the squad having played over 40 games for their clubs in 2012-13.
However, Henderson is adamant England won't be feeling any fatigue as he called on his teammates to help finish the season in style.
"It is a great honour to captain the country - at any level it is a real privilege," Henderson told reporters.
"The lads have been brilliant getting here over two years, but now it's important we do the job right now and finish it off well.
"This is a huge tournament. You can see over the past few years some of the best players in the world have played in this tournament so it is big.
"Everybody will be excited and definitely, definitely motivated going into the games. Certainly not tired. No problem."
Henderson enjoyed an excellent season for Liverpool, making 44 appearances and notching six goals.
He admits he heads into the European Championships high on confidence - just as he did two summers ago.
"I have been working hard over this past season on a few things," explained Henderson.
"I have worked with the manager and stuff at my club and fortunately I have managed to work on the things he wanted me to improve on.
"I am feeling very confident going into the tournament, like I was two years ago. I don't think there is much difference, to be honest.
"I was confident then and I am confident going into it now.
"We're professionals at the end of the day and going into a big tournament two years ago I just concentrated and it didn't really affect the way I played or anything like that. It is just the same really."
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