James Collins has suggested that a lack of quality in the final third was the difference as Liverpool defeated his under-21s side 2-0 on Sunday.
However, the head coach was full of praise for how his players have adapted to a new system that has been implemented over the past two games. Collins has also spoken about the impact of his two new arrivals in Matty Whittingham and Tawanda Chirewa, while dissecting the start to the season which he believes has been a positive one.
On the 90 minutes
“I thought we had some good moments in the new structure. Having had a week to pick up a way of playing, the boys picked it up very well and positionally played their roles very well.
“We were a threat with the structure but it was frustrating with our final ball and our quality at the end wasn’t good enough to get us a goal – I thought we maybe deserved one.
“For the majority we defended well. Youngy (Joe Young) maybe had one terrific save but other than that he didn’t have a save to make, but we ended up conceding two goals.
“Possibly 2-0 is a touch unfair, but you can’t concede two goals, not score and win football matches.
“I’m pleased with a lot of aspects of the work. That little bit of quality we didn’t show in key moments is probably the difference between winning and losing the game.”
On lacking quality in the final third
“We found our way up the pitch very well and got to the positions in pockets, which was part of the plan and we did that very well for the majority.
“It was that final ball, that final run, that final bit of quality. Aaron (Keto-Diyawa) got forward very well from left-back and probably had eight or nine crosses and chances to get the ball in the box – his quality is normally good from there but today it wasn’t.
“Everyone has to be eight out of 10 to get a result and I thought our performance was good up to the edge of the box. In the final third, we didn’t show enough quality.”
On the new signings
“They’ve come in and helped the group. Both look like good footballers which helps and they can handle the ball and can manipulate the ball.
“We’re just trying to get them to adapt to how we’re playing. We play differently to Manchester City and differently to Ipswich.
“They’ve picked it up quite quickly but neither of them has had a lot of football in the last few months, so maybe they’re fatiguing in games at the moment which is totally understandable.
“They’ve both been a real plus and fitted into the group very well.”
On the start to the season
“I feel like we’ve been good this season. We’ve had a lot go out on loan so I don’t think we’re going to be strong enough to win any leagues or possibly even finish high up in the league.
“That’s not what it’s about – it’s about developing the players. We had a 3-2 loss to Fulham and I thought we played well. We had a 3-2 loss at Middlesbrough and I thought we played well.
“We had a man sent off against Stoke and then it becomes a tough game, but we carried on fighting.
“We beat Palace in a really tough game, beat Notts County in an even harder game and got a draw away at Norwich having played really well with a new structure and new way of playing.
“I think we can be delighted with the start we’ve made. We probably haven’t got the points return that we maybe deserved.
“You want that, don’t get me wrong, but it’s about us improving our players and making our players better.
“I think there are real good signs in that department. I’ve not walked off a game this season yet, maybe Stoke, where I’ve thought we’re not as good as the opponent, including today at Liverpool – I thought we were as good as them today.”
