FA Youth Cup Final 2009: Five to Watch—Liverpool

Friday May 22 will see the first leg of the 2009 FA Youth Cup final between an up and coming Liverpool squad and the highly regarded Arsenal youth team.

The prestigious competition was founded in 1952 and the showdown between the two clubs will mark the 57th time the trophy has been contested by the 15-18 year old players.

Manchester United currently hold the record as the most successful team with nine trophies. Arsenal is a close second with six victories. The Liverpool youth set-up have won the competition three times in their history, with two of those coming in 2006 and 2007.

Current champions Manchester City were knocked out in the semi-finals by Arsenal in a thrilling 6-2 triumph whilst Liverpool brushed aside Birmingham City in their own high-scoring semi-final in a 6-1 victory.

With Bleacher Report writer Maire Ofeire highlighting the five players to watch out for in the Arsenal squad, we can now look at the five Liverpool players that should make an impact over the two games at the Emirates and Anfield.

Chris Oldfield - Goalkeeper

Regular first-choice No.1 Chris Oldfield was born in Liverpool and is in his second year at the Academy.

Under-18 manager Hughie McAuley said: "This is a big year for Chris. He has had some experience at reserve team level and trained at Melwood at the start of pre-season. He will be looking to play at reserve team level at some stage this season."

"He is a good lad who works hard and is desperate to do well. He is learning after working hard with our goalkeeping coach Billy Stewart and is and looking a lot more responsible."

With such an array of attacking talent at Arsenal, Chris will have to be on top form to ensure his team go to Anfield with a good chance for victory.

Christopher Buchtmann - Midfielder

German-born, Christopher is currently very highly regarded by many plaudits and has just appeared on UEFA's recent "Young stars of the future" list.

Comfortable at left-back and further forward in the left of midfield, he is said to be very good technically and "crosses a really good ball and can also score goals."

Instrumental in Germany's 2009 European Under-17 championship, he will certainly be one Liverpool supporters should look out for in the future.

Adam Pepper - Midfield

Another very promising Liverpool-born star for the future, Adam is integral to the first eleven and considered the play-maker in the heart of midfield.

He is said to be easily able to control the game, take on defenders, and score goals, much like the mold of the current club captain, Steven Gerrard.

A stand-out player at the Under-16 level, he is now in his first year with the Under-18's and is tipped to move on to the reserves without too much trouble.

The manager has said: "He is a nitty gritty type player which I like about him and he is a local lad, too. This football club means a lot to him, you can see that, and he can influence games. We will be looking to him to steady the ship for us and get on the ball and make us play. That's what he did for us in the pre-season."

Lauri Dalla Valle - Striker

Finnish-born Dalla Valle was snapped up by the Inter Milan youth set-up at an early age, but he became homesick and struggled with the language before returning back to his native country of Finland.

He was a transfer target for Chelsea before he eventually signed for Liverpool in January 2008 and is already being tipped by insiders to push for the first team in the coming years.

Dalla Valle has already notched up an impressive five goals in the competition and if he is given the chances in the Arsenal penalty area, he will no doubt be the one who can put them away.

Under-18s manager Hughie McAuley said: "Lauri is a striker who spent some time with us last season but this is his first full year with us. He scores goals and comes alive in the penalty area. He is good at getting in the right places at the right time to score goals and is very clinical with his finishing.

Joe Kennedy - Defender - Captain

The youth squad captain was born in Liverpool and is very quick, considering his size.

He is said to be a great example for his fellow youth players, with his honest and hard-working attitude on and off the field.

The big defender will need to be at the top of his game with the impressive attacking talents of Jack Wilshere sniffing around the Liverpool back-line.

Others of Note

David Amoo: London-born striker Amoo has contributed to the goals tally already in the competition and can make an impact up-front or out on the right wing where he has been used to good affect already this season.

Thomas Ince: The son of former Liverpool player Paul Ince, the left-footed winger is very adaptable and technically gifted. He normally plays down the left-flank with a great cross, but can also cut-in from the right and have a crack at goal.

Michael Roberts: Sitting alongside Adam Pepper in midfield, Michael is the anchor that allows Adam to push forward. And the Scot is not afraid to put his foot in and win the ball. The holding midfielder is very much in the mold of Javier Mascherano and is considered a great prospect by the Under-18 manager.

Nathan Eccleston: England youth international Nathan is a pacey striker who has already appeared for the Liverpool reserve team as well as a regular for the Under-18s. The club is expecting a bright future for the Manchester-born player, who has scored some cracking goals in previous years and also in this season's competition.

Dont Forget.....

Make sure you catch Maire Ofeire's 2009 Youth FA Cup final preview. It highlights the talented Arsenal players we should be looking out for in what is expected to be a high-octane attacking display from both sides.

The first leg is on Friday May 22, 20:00 at The Emirates live on Setanta.

The second leg is on Tuesday May 26, 20:00 at Anfield live on Setanta.