Echo: Cooper on NextGen opportunities

Liverpool's U18 under players are gaining invaluable experience by being included in the squads for NextGen matches, says manager Steve Cooper.

The Reds face Rosenborg this evening before the return fixture at Langtree Park, St Helens on Tuesday night.

A number of Cooper's U18 players will be involved.

"With the first team squad being quite young, it has a knock on affect for us," he said.

"But it gives our players new opportunities."

On the domestic front Cooper insists he is always looking to improve the side - but found plenty of reasons to be happy with their win over Wolverhampton Wanderers.

The teenage Reds have now won four out of their last five games in the Barclays Academy League after last weekend's 4-2 win over the West Midlands outfit.

Two goals from Jerome Sinclair --the youngest ever player to represent Liverpool's first team - and strikes from Seyi Ojo and Kris Peterson did the job.

Victory over Wolves comes after the U18s had seen off Fulham, Middlesbrough and Manchester City in recent weeks.

The win also served as an ideal response to the previous week's 5-3 loss to Crystal Palace.

Despite the win over Wolves, Cooper said his squad still have ample to work on but could not deny he was pleased with their attacking play.

"It was a good win," he said.

"Our attacking play was very good and within that there were some really good individual attacking performances.

"I still would've liked to have kept the ball for longer periods than we did.

"Though we controlled the game, I feel we could've managed it better - but then I am always wanting more.

"There were lots of positives to take out of the game and we are still building defensively and in terms of pressing."

Cooper's troops are without a game until November 17 when they host Chelsea at Liverpool's Academy in Kirkby.

The Reds lie fourth in National Group Three table with 11 points from their eight games and sit behind Crystal Palace, Fulham and Chelsea.

Following the visit of Chelsea, Cooper's side host Fulham and then make the trip to Middlesbrough.

Source: Liverpool Echo