U21sPremier League 2 play-offs preview: 'We're a match for anyone, so let's give it our best'
Liverpool U21s head coach Barry Lewtas explained why he feels the new end-of-season play-offs format in Premier League 2 is an excellent addition to the programme and how it serves player development.
After finishing the league phase of 2023-24 with a 2-0 loss to Arsenal on Sunday, the young Reds will now take part in the play-offs to determine the overall champion.
A last-16 clash sees them host Crystal Palace on a date to be confirmed between May 3 and May 6.
Read on as Lewtas reflects on the defeat against Arsenal and previews a potentially exciting conclusion to the campaign, speaking to Liverpoolfc.com.
On the loss to Arsenal…
It was a disappointing day. Listen, it’s never good to concede first and you go behind. It came at a time when I thought we were getting a bit of rhythm and a bit of control. The second was a brilliant goal but conceding that probably just gave us a little bit too much to do. We didn’t keep the ball out of our net and we didn’t score, so it was the story of two boxes.
On a much better second-half showing…
We had good chances. At half-time we said we needed to be more aggressive and be on the front foot more. I thought we reacted well but at the moment we need to find our edge in front of goal again.
On Stefan Bajcetic stepping up his fitness to play for an hour…
It’s been great to have Stefan with us as he builds up his sharpness again and it’s brilliant for Stefan to see him back.
On the play-offs…
I think over the course of the season we have shown that we are a real match for anyone, there’s no question about that. I’m hoping that these play-offs will bring a bit of pressure. There is something on the games and I do wonder whether that will bring the best out of this group as well.
We’ve got as good a chance as anyone but we do need to sharpen up in certain parts of our game. It is an exciting end to the season for the boys because it gives all the clubs who are in it something to keep playing for and it’s great for the players’ development. I think we are a match for anyone, so let’s give it our best and see how we go.