LIVERPOOL last had a sizeable Irish contingent in their first team in the late 1980s/early 90s with the likes of Ray Houghton, John Aldridge and Steve Staunton winning titles for the Reds.
The first title in 24 years is still a live possibility. Also on the cards for the near future is the prospect of a few Irish faces in and around the first-team squad.
Ireland U19 internationals Alex O’Hanlon and Dan Cleary are in the Merseyside club’s youth ranks and they will be joined soon by 15-year-old Conor Masterson.
And now the Irish Examiner reports that manager Brendan Rodgers has played a key role in attracting highly-rated 14-year-old Dubliner Glen McAuley to Anfield.
The St Joseph’s Boys has been pursued by Chelsea, Manchester United and City.
Alex Ferguson has even met with McAuley, however Rodgers held face-to-face discussions with the teenager and his family and Liverpool are understood to have signed him on a pre-contract basis. FIFA rules stipulate that players cannot sign full-time contracts until they turn 16.
England’s big clubs were first alerted to McAuley’s promise when he starred for Crumlin United in the SFAI U12 National Cup final win over St Kevin’s Boys.
Their latest capture first displayed his abilities while playing for Crumlin United, starring in their SFAI U12 national cup final victory over St Kevin’s Boys. Crumlin Untied are the boyhood club of Robbie Keane.
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