Clark shoes fit
Robbie Williams, Port Vale’s most famous supporter, may not have been among the near-2,000 crowd at Vale Park, those present instead offered a regular stream on the PA system of some of his choicest cuts.
But the main attraction instead came in the form of Bobby Clark, who ostensibly lined up on the right of the attack for Liverpool.
While both Stefan Bajcetic and Ben Doak, who have also had first-team experience this season, were similarly eligible to feature in the FA Youth Cup, Clark was the one asked to drop down to the under-18s for this fourth round tie.
READ MORE: Liverpool Under-18s suffer major scare as FA Youth Cup shock threatened at Port Vale
READ MORE: Billy Koumetio scores remarkable goal as Liverpool thrash Paris Saint-Germain
Certainly, there was no questioning his attitude nor application, the 17-year-old by some distance the most talented player on the pitch.
Clark had been in the U18s team dumped out of the competition by Chelsea in the fifth round last season, Liverpool letting slip a 3-0 lead to go out 4-3.
Clark appeared to be given something of a free role and that did leave right-back Josh Davidson exposed too often. But the ease at which he kept possession in difficult conditions underlined just why the midfielder is so valued by Jurgen Klopp.
Danns frustrated
It isn’t just the Liverpool first team that has been suffering from missing names in the forward line.
Oakley Cannonier has only just returned for the U21s after several months on the sidelines, while at U18 level the in-form Lewis Koumas continues to recover from a foot problem.
Opportunity, then, has knocked for a number of other young hopefuls. And having scored in the third round win at Bournemouth just before Christmas, Jayden Danns again started in attack here.
Danns, of course, comes from sound footballing stock, his father the former Crystal Palace and Birmingham City midfield Neil Danns, who has just taken over as head coach at Macclesfield Town.
Tall and rangy – his height is noticeable despite not yet being 17 – the forward was always willing to take the fight to the Vale defence and got in behind early on to help create an opening for Clark.
At times, Danns was guilty of being perhaps not selfish enough, looking to bring team-mates into the game when a shot on goal was the preferred option.
He will also learn how best to use his physical presence. One needless foul when chasing down a defender prompted shouts of “don’t foul, he’s in trouble!” from the bench.
And Danns, who was replaced shortly after the hour, will need better service than he received from his team-mates if he is to continue to impress. This was a frustrating night.
Youngsters learning curve
This was the first time Port Vale had progressed to the last 32 of the competition since they were beaten 3-2 after extra-time by Everton here a decade ago.
And the noisy backing from those present – indeed, the attendance was higher than for Vale’s first-team home EFL Trophy game against Barnsley in November – added another layer of difficulty for Liverpool on an evening when foul weather contributed further to a heavy and bumpy pitch far removed from the plush green carpets back at the Academy in Kirkby.
As has been the case with the U18s in recent months, this was a young Reds side, with centre-backs Wellity Lucky and Kerron Samuels, like Danns, only 16 years of age. Indeed, by comparison the Vale side appeared far more physically developed and took advantage of the fact.
Lucky celebrates his 17th birthday today and his alertness in clearing off the line prevented Liverpool from falling behind early on.
Another 17-year-old, Calum Scanlon, continues to build up his fitness having missed the first four months of the season through injury, and he will have benefited greatly from a testing 90 minutes, his late block to deny the lively Che Trapasso the highlight.
READ NEXT:
Liverpool chairman Tom Werner makes 'not for sale' statement after major Boston Red Sox deal
Liverpool transfer plan proves Jurgen Klopp is already building his next great team
Liverpool given summer transfer hint after £340m deals for Manchester United and Arsenal
What Jurgen Klopp warned Philippe Coutinho about at Liverpool has come true after new low
