Liverpool Pleased With Emmanuel Mendy's Progress

In a week where Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez gave three young hopefuls their first taste of European football, reserves boss Gary Ablett has voiced his delight with the development of another promising prospect.

English trio Jay Spearing, Martin Kelly and Stephen Darby each came off the bench to make their Champions League debuts in the Reds' 3-1 victory over PSV Eindhoven on Tuesday night.

It may be several years before Emmanuel Mendy follows suit, as the young midfielder has only just broken into the seconds at Anfield, but Ablett has high hopes.

He told the club's official website: "He is young, he is new to this and he is a little bit raw. The language is a bit of a problem for him at the moment, but when you speak to him he will look at you right in the eye because he wants to listen and he wants to learn.

"He's come into the team in a difficult situation because we are not playing very well. I think he can be quite pleased with his contribution over the last couple of games. He has not let anyone down.

"Young players are going to make mistakes and it is a massive learning curve for him to get used to a new life here during the last couple of months, but he is one we will stick with and keep working with because he wants to improve."

Mendy joins an ever-growing list of highly rated Liverpool lads, which includes compatriot Daniel Pacheco and Hungarian sensation Krizstian Nemeth.

Mike Maguire, Goal.com