Reaction'Our target was the play-offs and we're improving as a team'
Barry Lewtas is encouraged by the progress of his players after Liverpool U21s secured a place in the Premier League 2 end-of-season play-offs.
A 2-2 draw away at Aston Villa on Friday night ensured the Reds took the 16th and final qualifying spot in the division, setting up a knockout trip to Manchester City on a date to be confirmed.
Rio Ngumoha had given Lewtas’ charges a lead at Villa’s Bodymoor Heath training complex with his first goal at PL2 level.
Villa then came back to lead 2-1 but Ngumoha netted again in the second half having latched on to a superb backheel assist from Keyrol Figueroa.
Post-match, Lewtas spoke to Liverpoolfc.com to reflect on the end of the regulation season and the development in the group…
On qualifying for the play-offs after the 2-2 draw at Villa…
We played under a bit of pressure and the boys were desperate to do well and play well. We came up against a really good Aston Villa team who played with a real freedom about themselves, and at times they caused us a few problems with transitions. But, overall, we continue to create lots of chances, we scored two good goals so it’s a real plus for us.
On Ngumoha’s first goals in Premier League 2…
He played really well and he could have had a hat-trick. He is finding himself in recent weeks and this is what it is, we need to develop players and I think the evolution of him certainly over the last six or so weeks in terms of the positions he is now getting himself into, you saw him get his two goals. He has been working really hard in training on that and it’s nice that with the play-offs to come we have someone who can score some goals for us.
On the excellent impact off the bench from Figueroa, James Balagizi and Isaac Mabaya…
They just gave us a bit of energy and we’ve spoken a lot about people off the bench making an impact. I thought Ranel Young led the line fantastically well for us, he got an assist and was unlucky not to score. It was time for a change and Figgy came on and he really added to our performance.
Josh Davidson did really well against probably one of their most dangerous players, but when Isaac came on I felt we needed to take them the other way and forced their No.11 back defensively. Bala gave us legs and he was just a real threat. I thought we finished the game really strongly and I think the boys didn’t know whether to stick or bust in the end so the game became a little bit open because we wanted to get that win.
On the team having some great chances, with Tyler Morton firing over the top from close range near the end…
We did have good chances, there’s no question of that. In fairness, Kornel Misciur made a couple of good stops as well. I think we continue to make good progress as a young team, I really do. We know we’ve got areas we need to improve but we have played some really good football over the course of this season.
On keeping the season alive with the play-offs…
That was our target and we’ve managed to do that and we are excited to be in it. I think the way we have approached the games has been really good. As a group we know we’ve left points on the table with missing chances and the table doesn’t lie, but anyone who has watched us over the season, the reality is we know where we’ve, not let ourselves down, but we know and I’ve been constant around it where we need to improve and get better, and I think we are doing that.