Liverpool's rising young stars are helping keep more experienced players on their toes and manager Kenny Dalglish hopes that bodes well for the future. The Reds boss, an ambassador for the club's academy prior to his second spell in charge, has not shied away from giving young players an opportunity since his return in January 2011. This season Jay Spearing, a former youth team captain and academy graduate, has benefited the most from the faith of his manager - and injuries to Lucas Leiva and Charlie Adam - in what has arguably been a watershed campaign for the 23-year-old. Both others such as Jon Flanagan, Jonjo Shelvey and, to a lesser extent, Jack Robinson have also been involved while 17-year-old Raheem Sterling made his competitive first-team debut against Wigan last month. And that is not even taking into account Jordan Henderson and Sebastian Coates, both 21, and Andy Carroll, 23, whom Dalglish has brought into the club over the last 15 months. "We are delighted with Jay and all the kids who have come through. Everyone who has developed has done us proud," said Dalglish. "We played at Blackburn (last week) with six boys aged 22 or less. "Admittedly Jonjo and Seb (Coates) were bought in but we have got a few young people in and around the first-team squad. "It helps them but also helps the older ones in the squad, it keeps them and young and fresh and we are delighted with everyone's progress."
Dalglish will welcome back goalkeeper Jose Reina from a three-match suspension for Sunday's match at home to West Brom as he replaces third-choice Brad Jones, who stood in for Doni at Wembley last weekend after the Brazilian was sent off at Blackburn four days before their FA Cup semi-final against Everton. Jones has resigned himself to returning to obscurity, having not made a squad under Dalglish until last week, but the manager hinted the Australian may still have some involvement. "He has done his bit for the team and I don't think Brad is clairvoyant - he can't see into the future - so you never know," said the Scot. "We know also that when, or if, he did play he has that experience to fall back on and that is fantastic for him." Another player benefiting from the experience of that FA Cup semi-final victory is Andy Carroll, who scored a late winner for the second match in succession. "I've always been confident of what I can do even when I've had a drought of not scoring or not playing," he told liverpoolfc.tv. "I just need to be out there with a run of games and I'll get some goals. "I've been working hard all season and giving it my best. I'm getting my rewards now. "I do work for the team and do my best to try to fill in and cover and get assists. "I always need to improve on every part of my game but I think I've been doing well for the team."
Baggies defender defender Billy Jones is relishing the prospect of playing at Anfield and wants the Baggies to end the campaign on a high note. He said: "A lot of my friends are Liverpool fans and that really makes a difference when a lot of friends are coming to the game supporting the other team. "They are people from Shrewsbury, Liverpool fans for some reason. I think they have a cousin from Liverpool so, that's it, the whole family are Liverpool fans! "It is one of the great grounds in England and hopefully we can put in one of our good away performances and get something. "Maybe their eye will be on the FA Cup final. From our point of view, we want to put in a good effort for the last four games and get as many wins as we can. "As a group it would be great to get a win there and keep on pushing up the league and finish higher than last season."
Liverpool V West Brom - view commentary, squad, and statictics of the game live.
Source: PA
