Coach of Liverpool U19s Steven Gerrard has given tips to Nigerian forward Bobby Adekanye on what he needs to add to his game if he wants to be a hit at the club, where Gerrard is viewed as one of their greatest players ever.
Dutch-Nigerian forward Adekanye had a hand in all four goals that handed Liverpool U19s a comprehensive 4-1 win away to Maribor in the UEFA Youth League, and even though Gerrard praised his efforts, he still pointed out areas the forward need to work on in his game.
Signed from Barcelona Academy two years ago, Adekanye is finally delivering on the promise that made Liverpool to snap him up from Barcelona after overcoming the injury worries that has slowed down his career.
Gerrard told the official website of Liverpool that he expects the 18 year old to work on his consistency as well as productive in his own half, especially when it comes to defending on behalf of the team.
“The thing with Bobby is consistency,” Gerrard said. “I think he understands now what it is to play for a club like Liverpool at the highest level. Where you have to not just be talented on the ball and look good on the eye, you have to do the dirty side of the game as well.
“You have to compete, run back and tackle and carry out a job within a system, otherwise managers don’t trust you. When I came in I saw Bobby doing only one side of the game, coming alive when he got the ball.
“Working with Mick Garrity, Critch (Neil Critchley) and Alex (Inglethorpe), who are working tirelessly with him, I can see the other side of the game coming in.
“I was more pleased with Bobby’s performance out of possession without the ball because I thought he put in a shift in for the team. I know what he can do on the ball but can he become more of a complete footballer?”.
Shedrack Obi
