Last season Liverpool reserves drew 2-2 with Wigan reserves away near the end of March and although it saw the reds stretch their unbeaten run to six games, the 2-2 draw was ultimately a disappointing performance. It’s a sign of how much has changed throughout the club that only two or three of the team that played that night are likely to feature tonight. Insua, Kelly and Spearing have now all been promoted to first team duties (even though for the latter two its meant very little competitive action). Huth, Crowther and Mackay-Steven have left the club whilst Nemeth and San Jose are out on loan.

I’ll be looking out for the performances of Mavinga and Amoo tonight, who will want to build on their good performances in the last match against Hull City reserves. I’m hoping Kacaniklic plays – after picking up an injury in the last game – because he’s looked a little less certain over the last couple of weeks and has Christopher Buchtmann (and Vincent Weijl) lo0king to take his place. Nikola Saric will be looking to build on his goal last time out – and for all his deft touches and clever link-up play, he needs to offer more of an offensive threat if he’s to compete in the future with the likes of Dalla Valle and Nemeth.

After reports that he rejected a contract extension last week, it will be interesting to see if Nathan Eccleston plays and, if so, if it’s had an affect on his attitude. I’m also hoping for a return to fitness for Gerardo Bruna who was just starting to find his feet in the team before getting  an injury that’s kept him out of the team since early September.

After the game, I’ll be doing a post match analysis so if you can sign up for email alerts for my thoughts on the match if you don’t want to keep coming back to my blog to read all my other thoughts.

UPDATE: the game has been called off due to a water-logged pitch. The reserve team will not play again until 2010.

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The reds started confidently and bossed the game in a way that they have not yet done this season, despite missing a number of key players to injury, international duty and first team duties. 

The goal came after a sustained period of pressure from Liverpool but in truth, there were few clear-cut chances at the end of it. Just before halftime Nathan Eccleston ran at the Everton defenders and was brought down and then coverted the penalty with his now-trademark Aldo-shuffle. 

The second half started slowly, despite Everton coming out at least 5 minutes before kick-off. Everton had a brief period of dominance but Mavinga and Palsson (as a make-shift centrehalf) were very solid. Everton won a penalty after a clear handball from Threlfall – who was also lucky not to have setup the Everton forward with a poor backpass. Gulacsi would have saved the penalty, but the Everton striker hit the outside of the post. 

The game was punctuated by some terrible tackles from Everton and frankly three different players were lucky not to have been sent off. I try to remain objective on nights like this – not least because as a referee there’s nothing worse than people screaming at you in games that matter less. But this appeared organised and ill-disciplined. At least the referee was consistent but a nasty, late foul was all Jose ‘the new Rooney’ Baxter contributed. 

The reds were particularly effective in the middle of the park. Stevie Irwin – captain for the night – delivered the sort of performance that Academy-watchers had been predicting. He’s been growing in the centre midfield role over the last couple of games and looks more comfortable there than at left or right back. He has a tendency to pick an over ambitious pass and lose the ball but you can’t fault the intention. 

The real story of the night was Zsolt Poloskei. The Hungarian is on loan from partner club MTK Hungaria. He spent the whole of his first year out with a knew injury but the loan deal was extended and he has just started to break into the side. Tonight he played wonderfully well. Poloseki was energetic, confident in the tackle and could pick a pass. He broke forward well and knew when to defend. In fact, he reminded me of Lucas – but that’s a whole other debate. Really sadly, his game was cut short when his knee buckled after the (only) innocuous challenge of the night. I felt absolutely gutted seeing him carried off on a stretcher so god knows what went through his mind. Get better soon, Zsolt. 

David Fairclough gave Chris Mavinga man of the match, which was a fair decision. I was impressed by Eccleston’s application after more games in recent days than most – and the come down after being involved in the first team to playing in Widnes for the reserves (when other teammates were in Lyon). But for me, Zsolt Poloskei’s performance was so full of promise – and cut so cruelly short, that it deserved wider recognition. 

Next game: Liverpool reserves v Hull reserves, 10 November

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1. Liverpool reserves v Sunderland reserves post match analysis
2. Liverpool reserves v Man United reserves post match analysis
3. Liverpool reserves v Hull City post match analysis

Nathan Eccleston is slightly shorter in the flesh than he appears on the TV. I bumped into him at Anfield on Sunday afternoon and he may be 6 foot, but is probably a shade under. He’s certainly quick and loves to run at defenders. He’s been playing up front for the reserve team this season but impressed for the Academy (particularly in the FA Youth Cup) playing wide on the wing.

It would make sense for Eccleston to play on the right hand side, if he does play tonight. There is less pressure than if he’s leading the line and he loves to cut inside, providing space for the right back (probably Degen) to get forward.

I’ve analysed his first half contribution for Liverpool reserves against Sunderland to show what he brings to the team. You’ll notice that he lost the ball a few times – mostly in the air with his back to goal – and he’ll need to work on that if he is to play centre forward at a higher level (although than night he was up against Premiership defenders).

He loves to run at defenders and when he does, there’s always a final ball. He’s hits a moving ball sweetly although his final pass isn’t always consistent. He’s always lively and (as this shows) prepared to get stuck in. What this doesn’t show is how keen he is to chase down lost causes and harry defenders – something David Ngog could learn from him.

Eccleston didn’t provide anything defensively in his own half, and he will need to tonight, particularly if he’s playing on the wing.

So for those who don’t get to watch reserve team games regularly, here is a flavour of what Nathan Eccleston can bring to the team:

Eccleston's first half contribution

Related posts:

1. Liverpool reserves v Hull City post match analysis
2. Liverpool reserves v Bolton reserves post match analysis
3. Liverpool reserves v Sunderland reserves post match analysis