[lfc-news] Academy graduates come of age - Official Site

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Official LFC Website, 11 Nov 2004
ACADEMY GRADUATES COME OF AGE
By Mark Platt

On the night six Academy graduates helped steer Liverpool into the last
eight of the Carling Cup it was apt that Steve Heighway's name bellowed
around Anfield.
The familiar chant may have been more in celebration of Heighway's playing
career with the Reds but on the evidence of this impressive victory over
cup holders Middlesbrough the former winger is still playing a key role at
the club.

Along with his dedicated band of staff at the Kirkby-based Academy, he has
helped carefully nurture the talents of Neil Mellor, Stephen Warnock,
Darren Potter, Zak Whitbread, John Welsh and Richie Partridge.

And after watching each of them play a key part in the 2-0 defeat of a
vastly experience 'Boro side he has every right to feel an immense sense of
pride.

Mellor will take the plaudits, and rightly so, for the late brace of goals
that won this tie but all of the youngsters can be well pleased with how
they performed on the big stage.

The Carling Cup is not top of Rafael Benitez's list of priorities and
that's perfectly understandable given that the Reds are still in the
Champions League and handily placed among the chasing pack near the top of
the Premiership.

But try telling that to this enthusiastic bunch of Kop kids who have fully
seized their opportunity to impress the new boss.

At Millwall in the previous round it was Whitbread, Warnock and Potter that
caught the eye. They again excelled against 'Boro. Warnock was his usual
industrious self down the left flank, Potter was neat and tidy in
everything he did, and was instrumental in both goals, while Whitbread's
performance was faultless at the back.

Prolific reserve striker Mellor was disappointed with his display at the
New Den but made sure he got in on the act this time around by doing what
he's been doing ever since he first pulled on a red shirt at 16 years of age.

No player has scored more goals for the club in recent years than Mellor.
His goalscoring achievements at youth and reserve level are phenomenal. Now
he's proved he can do it on the stage that matters most. And no-one will
begrudge him his moment of glory.

Equally deserving of his place in the spotlight is Partridge. The young
Irishman has endured a horrific time with injuries and four years after
making his first team debut, it was great to see him given another chance,
albeit as a substitute.

At 24, he's long been spoken about as a player of potential. The time has
come for him to deliver and he didn't disappoint. He was unlucky to not to
win a penalty and then set up the first goal. Not bad for a 21 minute cameo
appearance.

Another substitute who made a noticeable impact was reserve skipper Welsh.
Again, he's a player for whom the word potential always seems to be
attached to his name. We saw glimpses of his ability a couple of season's
back but he faded from the scene and was in danger of becoming Liverpool's
forgotten man.

He'll be first to admit that he didn't start this campaign in the best of
form but slowly but surely he's getting back to his best and fully deserved
his first opportunity to show Benitez what he's capable of.

The introduction of Welsh and Partridge changed the course of a game that
looked to be heading for extra time and possibly penalties. With the latter
taking his place wide on the right, Potter moved into a more central
position and suddenly the Reds clicked as an attacking unit.

They were superbly aided and abetted by the emerging cult-hero of the Kop,
Igor Biscan. The big Croat is oozing confidence at the moment and it shows.
He dominated the midfield from start to finish and was an inspirational
figure for the youthful zest of the aforementioned six.

As the two late goals flew into the Kop net a euphoric sense of joy swept
around the ground in recognition of Liverpool's progress into the last
eight and to hail an outstanding performance from a virtual second-string side.

Rafa's rookies have helped reignite Liverpudlians' interest in this
competition. In the modern era of multi-million pound deals it's refreshing
to see homegrown heroes emerge.

Liverpool have won the League Cup on seven previous occasions. If this
group of players can go all the way to Cardiff and make it eight on
February 27 it will be the most remarkable triumph of them all.

From what we've seen so far, who'd bet against it?

* Liverpool's Carling Cup quarter-final tie against Tottenham Hotspur at
White Hart Lane will take place on Wednesday, 1st December at 7.45pm.
Ticket allocation and details for the match will be announced shortly.


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