Steven Gerrard’s Liverpool U-19 team face a stern test against Manchester United in the last 16 of the UEFA Youth League on Wednesday afternoon. The young Reds, who were one of eight seeded teams in the draw after topping their group, now host United at Prenton Park in the Last 16.
Ahead of the scintillating clash with arch-rivals United, Gerrard has urged the young lads to enjoy the occasion of playing against the Red Devils on a European night.
“In games like this you shouldn’t have to motivate your players,” Gerrard told Liverpoolfc.com.
“This is the last 16 of the youth Champions League with a chance to qualify at a big stadium, if we need to motivate players for this then we are in the wrong place.”
“It should be set and they should be ready to go and perform. Yes, we will work on certain things over the next couple of days to prepare them and show them Manchester United’s strengths and weaknesses as we do, and then they have got to go and deliver.”
Asked about the golden opportunity for the young Reds to express themselves on the bigger stage, the former Liverpool skipper added:
“I was thinking about it the other day, playing Manchester United and putting myself back to when I was there.”
“I would have loved this occasion, to play against Manchester United for the U19s in the Champions League at Prenton Park. I wasn’t lucky enough to have that so that’s what I’m going to try and put across to them – revel in it, enjoy it, this is a magic moment in your young lives and if you get a nice win maybe it’s a memory that might stay with you for a long time.”
Gerrard explained it is important for his U-19 boys to understand what is at stake on Wednesday.
“You’ve got realise it’s Manchester United and there’s a lot at stake,” he quipped.
“It’s a 50-50 game and this is one that would be tough to get over if it doesn’t go your way – that’s just the way it is. It is one of those fixtures that is a little bit juicier and there’s a lot more riding on it because of the rivalry.
“You have to deal with that, take that responsibility on the chin and manage it. Of course, we don’t want players going in and doing anything stupid and getting sent off, like we’ve experienced in a couple of games, but at the same time we’ve got to have the players right on the edge.”
Come Wednesday and we could be in for a treat as our U-19 boys will lock horns with United’s U-19 for a place in the quarterfinals of UEFA Youth League.
