Liverpool U21 boss Beale impressed with visit to Sligo

Sligo Rovers got their pre-season campaign underway last week, losing 2-1, when they took on a selection of the Liverpool U-21's at the Showgrounds.

For many fans it was an opportunity to see first hand some of the talent currently on the books at Melwood. Players like Jerome Sinclair, Ryan Mc Loughlin, Ryan Kent and Joe Maguire, who some Liverpool fans would be familiar with from having played some games with the first team over the past couple of years, and others like Brooke Lennon, Adam Philips and Kris Polgar who fans wouldn't be too familiar with.

Liverpool won the game 2-1 thanks to goals from Adam Philips and Will Marsh, who is son of the late Liverpool player Mike Marsh. After the game Extratime.ie spoke to the Liverpool manager Michael Beale.

“The facilities are fantastic. The club has a real good set up. We visited the ground, the offices everything and were impressed with everything.”

Beale's only disappointment was the state of the Showgrounds pitch, that along with the Irish weather!

“The pitch was very difficult. It was like you were walking on a bouncy castle. It was very unsteady when you stood on it. In saying that it was a great experience for the boys. The first team had a similar situation lately in the Exeter game. The weather before the match made things difficult."

Beale was impressed with some of the Rovers players who faced his young guns last week. He was full of praise for Kieran Sadlier, Tobi Adebayo-Rowling and Craig Rodden. Speaking about the three Beale said; "I thought your number 11 did well (Kieran Sadlier), your young right back did well also, I think he is number 2 (Tobi Adebayo-Rowling), I know he only came in this week. He's settled very fast. Also Craig Rodden played well. He showed he had a good schooling at Liverpool. He has seemed to settled in well with Dave Robertson plans. He will be a big player this season for Sligo."