WATCH THE RESERVES START 2008-09 LIVE Steve Hunter 02 September 2008 Liverpool Reserves begin the defence of their Barclays Reserve League North crown with a trip to Middlesbrough at the Riverside Stadium tonight - a match you can watch live online through LFC TV from 6.15pm BST. LFC TV presenter Matt Critchley will be joined in the studio by former Reds David Johnson and John Durnin as we build up to the kick-off at 7pm. Kop hero David Fairclough will be part of our commentary team as Gary Ablett's men look to begin their title defence in style. Last season was an incredible one for Ablett and his young guns after the Reds second string won the treble. They also emulated the first team by clinching their 18th reserve league title. You can watch every reserve league game live on LFC TV, which can also be viewed online with our fantastic e-Season Ticket package.
No man, I don't thing he will. But Pacheco, Spearing and co. should be playing. Here's Spearing talking on official site ahead of the game: Jay Spearing believes Liverpool Reserves will be the team everyone wants to beat this season after their treble triumph last year. The second string begin the defence of their league title tonight when they take on Middlesbrough at the Riverside Stadium – a match you can watch live on LFC TV from 6.15pm BST. Spearing, one of last season's top performers in the reserve team, admits the pressure is on to perform to a high standard again this time around. "There is a lot of pressure on us this season after what we won last year and everyone will be looking to beat us, but it's up to us to handle that pressure," said Spearing. "We have got the players in the squad to handle the pressure - now we need to show that on the pitch and keep up our high standards. "We have got some quality players. Daniel Pacheco showed what he can do in pre-season and Krisztian Nemeth did as well. We hope they can keep doing that this season for us and get the goals." The Wirral-born midfielder also had words of praise for boss Gary Ablett, who is a well-respected figure in the dressing room. "Gary is a big influence on all of us," he said. "He has told everyone what he expects from them and also told us what the boss wants if we want to make that step up to the first-team squad. He has given us a lot of confidence in ourselves and he knows what we are all capable of." Spearing is vice-captain of the reserve team - an honour he doesn't take lightly. "To be given the captain's armband last year by Gary was a great honour for me," he added. "I was captain at the Academy at under-18 level and it was special for me. "It was an incredible season for us last year winning three trophies and it was a great honour. We should have made it four when we lost to Marine in the final of the Liverpool Senior Cup. "We have some special individual players in the squad but when we step out onto that field we are all one team fighting for each other." The Riverside Stadium is where it all started for our all-conquering reserve squad last season, when Ablett's side played extremely well and came away with a 1-1 draw in their opening encounter. The Middlesbrough goal was a controversial Diego Maradona-style punch into the back of Charles Itandje's net, but Ray Putterill equalised from the penalty spot. "We weren't very happy about that goal but we got on with it and got the result," said Spearing. "I still thought we deserved more from the game." After a decent showing in pre-season, Spearing's main aim this term is to try and impress Rafael Benitez. He is under no illusions as to the size of the task he faces, with Steven Gerrard, Xabi Alonso, Javier Mascherano, Lucas Leiva and Damien Plessis all ahead of him in the first-team pecking order. However, Spearing is a player that never shirks a challenge, and with the introduction of seven substitutes in the Premier League this season, he is hopeful of getting a piece of the action sooner rather than later. "As soon as that rule was put in place it gave me a lot of confidence," said the Reds number 26. "It gives me a great incentive to work hard and play as well as I can to get a place on the bench. I know there's some great players here so it will be hard to get in the starting XI but to get on the bench would be a great boost for me. "To get the call-up to the first-team squad for the Swiss training camp was an unbelievable experience. Just to be involved in the first-team set-up and being under the boss's eye every day was so important for me. I wanted to show what I could do. "I knew I was going to Switzerland at the end of last season when Gary told me the boss wanted me to return to training early with the first-team squad. I was made up and looked forward to it all summer. "The fact the boss was willing to put me into the team and give me a go was a great confidence boost for me. I just wanted to get out there and show him what I was capable of. "I've now got to show that I'm capable of handling a first-team place when it comes calling. It would mean everything for me to be involved in the first team and being a regular would be a dream come true." The battling midfielder is a popular figure amongst reserve team regulars - and has also had the backing of Liverpool's inspirational captain, Steven Gerrard, who chose Spearing as his one-to-watch on the club website in the summer. "It's great to hear the captain of the club saying he's got confidence in you," said Spearing. "To hear him say he thinks I'm a good player gives me a lot of confidence and I've got to try and pay that back now. "There are some great players here I can learn from including Stevie, Xabi Alonso, Javier Mascherano, Lucas Leiva and Damien Plessis. There is no better place to learn as a player than here. "Last season was a big year for me being involved with the reserves and playing in nearly every game. Sadly I missed the national final at Anfield through injury but this year I want to really push myself and show what I'm capable of."
Degen starts for the Reserves tonight! Glad Pacheco's playing too. Here's the team in full: The Reds XII in full is: Peter Gulacsi, Philipp Degen, Stephen Darby (cap), Mikel San Jose Dominguez, Ronald Huth, Martin Kelly, Gerardo Bruna, Jay Spearing, Jordy Brouwer, Daniel Pacheco, Vincent Weijl. Subs: Daniel Ayala, Dean Bouzanis, Andras Simon, Steven Irwin, Ryan Crowther.
I'm looking forward to watching this game tonight, I really enjoyed seeing the reserveres last season
I was thinking the same thing myself about Nemeth really enjoyed watching him last season, but i really can't wait to see pacheco playing again tonight. Of all the reserves i think this lad is the one with the quality to really make it at anfield and hopefully become one of the greats but it all depends on how much our youth team benefits him, after all it is a very long time since someone sensational has actually come up through the system!
Half time still 0-1, Stephen Darby should have had a second but it was ruled out for offside but looked ok to me, not a bad game