Aware of the Hillsborough significance

The FA Youth Cup
Semi-Final first leg
7pm, Thursday 16 April 2009
St.Andrews, Birmingham City FC

Liverpool youth team coach Hugh McAuley has made sure his players are fully aware of the significance of the 20th anniversary of the Hillsborough disaster ahead of their FA Youth Cup Semi-Final first leg clash with Birmingham City on Thursday.

The youth team find their fixture sandwiched into a vastly important week for Liverpool, after the first team's Champions League defeat to Chelsea on Tuesday preceded an emotional service at Anfield to mark the anniversary on Wednesday.

Despite his players not being born when the tragedy occurred, McAuley believes the team will do the club proud at St Andrews on Thursday.

"The Hillsborough anniversary adds extra attention at a time when our football club is always involved in major competitions anyway," said McAuley.

"It's part of our culture now to recognise that day and what it cost, and to remember those people who lost their lives, and our boys are ready to play their part.

"But the young players are focused on what they have to do and they can only take care of their own particular destiny."

England internationals Jamie Carragher and Michael Owen were part of the Liverpool side who won The FA Youth Cup in 1996, under the guidance of McAuley.

And the coach believes his current crop of players are more than capable of emulating the Kop heroes.

McAuley admitted: "It's harder now as the level of consistency and requirements are harder. We're not talking about being good enough to play in the Premier League at our football club, you've got to be good enough to play in the Champions League.
 
"There's evidence of the fact that we've got good up and coming players who are doing well. It's up to them to take that step further, and do better and eventually make that step up from the academy."