Liverpool vs Sutton United: a modern David vs Goliath story.

Written by Lewis Bower, @LewisBower2021, on March 14th 2021.

"One of the biggest goals in the academy's history" uttered the Sutton United in-house commentator as Goncalo Freitas' long-range freekick initiated the 6-0 drubbing of Camberley Town. Meticulous in preparation and euphoric in victory, Sutton United's U18s had reached the Third Round of the prestigious FA Youth Cup for the first time.

Three months, a Covid postponement and a date change later, The U's are ready to open the next page in their history books. Finally. The setting this time? The home of the Premier League Champions - and some of the most talented young footballers in the country.

SUTTON UNITED – THE STORY SO FAR

Isthmian Youth Central Division side facing the Premier League youngsters represents more than just an opportunity for a heavyweight scalping. The tie against Marc Bridge-Wilkinson's men simply signifies a more-than-welcome return to football in all capacities, as the division succumbed to the now all-too-familiar COVID-19 restrictions.

Frustratingly, The U's, have not played any football since the 21st of December, having only returned to training in the last three weeks.

It remains to be seen whether a lack of match practice will play a part in the fixture, but any time lost on the pitch spills into opposition analysis. Players noted that the work that was done behind the scenes by coaches Marvin Williams and Ricky Wellard was the foundation for their success against Camberley Town in the second round.

The tie, which was initially scheduled for January 15th will be Liverpool's first act in the annual showcase this season, while Sutton have already scored an impressive campaign, beating Camberley Town, Kings Langley, and Raynes Park Vale.

If motivation to play a version of the Premier League champions was not enough, the prospect of a mouth-watering fourth-round tie against Manchester United tie dangles in their gaze.

Sutton United "are not just here to take part."

Those are the rallying words of Sutton captain and left-back Sam Tutt when speaking to SUFCtv. Facing a Liverpool side brimming with talent, the Sutton United Academy hierarchy is under no illusions of the mountainous task ahead – in which Liverpool are more than capable of flexing their superiority and putting on a goalscoring clinic.

Sutton can play with no fear, and with the onus heavily weighted on Liverpool’s shoulders, Sutton have nothing to lose and a chance to transcribe another page in their history. The U’s will be looking to pose a few questions of their own.

DEFENSIVE DOMINANCE

Scoring six goals in a single game will rightly garner plaudits for offensive work, but it is Tutt's stubborn defence that guided Sutton to loftier heights. In the three rounds the U's have played thus far, they are yet to concede a goal, accounting for eleven of their own. In fact, upon further inspection, Sutton head into the tie against Marc Bridge-Wilkinson's Liverpool having conceded just three goals in their last seven games.

It would be unfair to suggest that Sutton can keep a melting pot of the countries brightest young attackers at bay based on defensive fortitude against the opposition they have faced thus far, but the Londoners have shown a degree of organisation and cohesion in their displays. With adrenaline high and a plan set, Williams and Wellard will be hoping to tick up to a level that frustrates a bountiful Liverpool forward line.

GOING FORWARD

Scavenging the corners of the internet for footage of Sutton United U18's was admittedly a difficult tas but highlighting the Sutton United danger men was not. Jordan Junor and Kylian Kouassi formed a two-pronged forward line against Camberley town. You grow to feel sorry for the Camberley Town defence. 6 games across the Isthmian Youth League and FA Youth Cup have seen the pair net a collective 13 goals with 6 and 7, respectively.

Junor makes himself an option for the out ball, using his intelligence to drift into channels, pull out his man, and combine quickly in order to forge chances for his teammates. Kouassi appears to be the more direct of the pair with a desire for goals embedded in his game. The pair do their best to dispel the classic big man - little man strike partnership; both are rife with athleticism.

With 3 goals between them against Camberley Town and Kouassi, in particular, showing composure in his finish, their aerial presence also proved to be a handful from set-pieces, playing a vital part in Kai Tanner's goal. The pair will chase down loose ends and put whatever part of their body needed in their duels.

Tanner, who appears to play as the most advanced midfielder, can be seen making runs into the box to eat up the space created by the forward pair with an appetite for goalscoring himself. Tanner was in fine form before the Isthmian League curtailed, level in league goals with Kouassi and Junor (4) and adds another facet to Sutton’s play Quansah and co will be wary of.

Images of Sam Tutt's raised arm stance before swinging in another looping set piece are embedded deep in the nightmares of Camberley Town's defenders. Sutton were relentlessly brutish when launching balls into the box. Efficient in their efforts, set pieces and crossing from deep appeared to be a recurring theme in most successful efforts going forward.

Tutt has an eye for a cross while the first half saw Goncalo Freitas net directly from 25 yards. Junor and Kouassi, again, active in the box using athleticism to climb above defenders. Jazdi Alilo also showed his aerial prowess with a headed goal from a Tutt cross. One of the few set-piece efforts that did not end in the back of the net.

LIVERPOOL'S INJURY RETURNEES

Saturday's 1-0 defeat to Manchester United provided two timely boosts to Liverpool, as James Balagizi played for 60 minutes, while Luca Stephenson completed 30 minutes from the bench, both of whom had not played since a 4-1 victory vs Middlesborough on the 12th of December.

Injuries to Balagizi who tips the midfield, Stephenson, who bases it, and the promotion of Tyler Morton to the U23s have forced Marc Bridge-Wilkinson's hand to pick several U16 midfield stand-ins such as James McConnell. While the young stand-ins have done no harm to their Liverpool prospects, players of Balagizi and Stephenson’s ilk will always be welcomed back with open arms.

At 17, Balagizi to many is the jewel of the academy. Comfortable on either wing or slightly deeper central areas, Balagizi protects the ball well using close control and fluid body movement to beat a man on the dribble with the playmaking ability to match. Reverse passes, and incisive defence cutting balls it is not hard to understand why the England youth international has been likened to Liverpool cult hero Phillipe Coutinho. Stephenson on the other hand is composure personified, putting out fires then progressing the ball forward from the base of midfield.

THE LINE UP - FORWARD FLUIDITY AND STRIKING OPTIONS

Lee Jonas, another recent returnee from long term injury deputised for an absent Terrence McLaughlin-Miles at the weekend. With the reason for the latter's absence unknown, it is a safe assumption Jonas will continue to partner captain Jarrel Quansah at the heart of the defence and be tasked with dealing with Kouassi and Junor.

While Norris is certain to flank the left-hand side, Wilson and Mabaya are a toss-up for options on the right. With a Saturday – Tuesday schedule for The Young Reds, it may be a case of one game apiece for the pair. Mabaya, primarily a midfielder, has shimmied over to the right-back slot on occasion this season, as seen against Manchester United. Mabaya has impressed in the midfield this season, but with players returning from injury it would not be surprising to see some right back minutes as Marc Bridge-Wilkinson aims to find a way to balance minutes and structure for a star-studded attack.

A cute level of anticipation meets the young Liverpool attack. A crop of players deemed to be one of the finest that the club has collected in a long time is strikingly fluid due to how well several of the forward line can perform in several positions.

The tie is the first chance for Liverpool fans to catch a glimpse of Kaide Gordon, the January signing on the lips of many. He joins Mateusz Musialowski and Melkamu Frauendorf in sharing an ability to play across both the forward line and deeper in midfield, added to the versatility of James Balagizi.

The ability to interchange and rotate within the game makes playing an already uphill task even more arduous for defenders. It’s with high probability that Musialowski starts on the left, Gordon on the right, and Ethan Ennis is sandwiched between them, who has stepped into the door left open by Layton Stewart’s seemingly permanent promotion to the U23s of late.

In a game in which they are resounding favourites, the 2018/19 winners will be looking to avoid an upset to kickstart a bid that snatches the trophy away from Manchester City. The hard work of Sutton, and the general good feel around the club for what is clearly a tight-knit group, will ensure the game will be an enriching experience for all.

HOW TO WATCH THE GAME?

The game takes place on March 16th, live on LFCTV and LFCTVGO from 18:45.

Written by Lewis Bower, @LewisBower2021.