Doak uncaged
There weren't many positives to take from a miserable start to the year for Jurgen Klopp's first team.
But the sight of Ben Doak getting further minutes offered some solace - and Liverpool hope a glimpse of a promising future.
The fearlessness of the 17-year-old has, even in his short time at the club since arriving from Celtic last summer, made him one to watch, first shooting to prominence with his exploits in the UEFA Youth League.
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And the direct, powerful, fast running that has become his trademark saw him win corners from which Liverpool twice came closest to break the goalless deadlock on Sunday, along with openings for himself that Chelsea goalkeeper Gabriel Slonina did well to repel.
"He was excellent," says U21s coach Barry Lewtas. "He came back training with us a few days ago, and his attitude and commitment was unbelievable - he was like a caged animal! He started the game really well.
"I thought we had a threat on both sides in different ways. Owen Beck, Bobby Clark and Melkamu Frauendforf combined well on the left while on the right we were able to feed Ben and go one v one. When we brought Harvey Blair, who is coming back from injury, on during the second half we had the same kind of threat on both sides."
Doak, though, was the standout. There may now be fewer senior opportunities this term, but the Scottish winger has already left his calling card.
Williams sets the example
The majority of the Liverpool defence that lined up against Chelsea perhaps wouldn't have expected to be at the Academy come mid-February of the campaign.
Back in the summer, Rhys Williams, Billy Koumetio and Owen Beck were all sent out on loan for the season to gain further senior experience having each made a first-team breakthrough at Liverpool. For a variety of reasons, it didn't quite happen for the triumvirate.
Beck, in particular, suffered the frustration of having a spell at Famalicao in Portugal aborted without an outing and then, last month, recalled from Bolton Wanderers after only nine outings during the first half of the campaign. Sunday was only his second outing for the U21s since returning last month.
Williams, who recently turned 22, was the more vocal of the three, confidence no doubt borne from lengthier first-team opportunities at Anfield and elsewhere.
"Rhys has always had that since he was a kid, he is a good organiser and communicates well," says Lewtas. "He gives people a nudge when they need it but praises the boys as well. He is a good character. The beauty about Rhys is he knows under-21 games keep him ticking over and he does them properly. He has a big impact in the dressing room, and understands where he is in his development."
Both Williams and Koumetio threatened to open the scoring with headers from corners. But perhaps the best moment of defending from Liverpool was by Lee Jonas who, operating at right-back, produced a brave block to deny Chelsea's Dylan Williams in the second half.
Musialowski highlights issue
Just as the first team welcome back greater forward options, so the U21 are now undergoing availability issues in attack.
Layton Stewart hasn't featured since the resumption of the campaign after the World Cup but is nearing a return, while Oakley Cannonier, currently out with a hamstring issue, has played for just 10 minutes since October.
The Reds instead once again turned to attacking midfielder Mateusz Musialowski in a false number nine position. And while the 19-year-old demonstrated some fine footwork and was a threat when running from deeper positions, he isn't a natural focal point.
Max Woltman, another player to return on loan after a frustrating time at Doncaster Rovers, replaced Musialowski for the final 20 minutes.
The U21s have scored only three goals in six games since the restart and it's not difficult to pinpoint what they are lacking.
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