Liverpool Comment: Why Arsenal's Kids Should Be The Envy Of Anfield

It is hardly a new phenomenon to rave about the latest batch of youngsters conjured up by Arsene Wenger, it seems to have been happening for years. Ever since arriving on these shores to cries of "Arsene who?!" 13 years ago, the Frenchman has been churning out Arsenal teams surpemely well-drilled in the aesthetic side of the game.

Tonight's League Cup clash with Liverpool will be no different. The pair may be two of the great institutions of English football, sharing more than 60 major honours between them. They may boast a rivalry that incorporates cup finals, title deciders and Champions League epics, but this evening, the focus is likely to turn to the clubs' respective youth policies.

It is fair to say that Wenger's opposite number, Rafael Benitez, shares a somewhat different approach to football. Where Wenger's sides have trademark one-touch passing, audacious movement, and a fluency that is matched by few sides in Europe, Benitez's Liverpool tend to adhere to much stricter tactical protocols.

This is not a criticism of Benitez by any means. After all, a 'restricted' Liverpool were - by some distance too - the Premier League's top scorers last season, and any side featuring Fernando Torres, Steven Gerrard and Yossi Benayoun is likely to create chances.

It could also be argued, of course, that Wenger's quest for aesthetic perfection has had a detrimental effect on the club's ability to put silverware on the sideboard. Arsenal have won plenty of plaudits over the past four years, but not one trophy.

For Wenger, the joy of football has always been the developing and shaping of teams, especially teams consisting predominantly of youngsters. The money pumped into the Gunners' youth system is huge, and the rewards equally so. The current squad houses tens of players, all of whom have been shaped by Wenger and his staff, all of whom play with the unmistakable Arsenal panache.

Cesc Fabregas may be a one-off, a star who would have made it under any tutor, but Wenger's influence is still visible in his movement, his finishing and his attitude. Others - Gael Clichy, Nicklas Bendtner, Abou Diaby, Jack Wilshere (who will, sadly, miss tonight's game through injury) - bear all the hallmarks of a Wenger player. Quick, skilful, aware and improving constantly.

At Liverpool, meanwhile, the situation is slightly different. A 19-year wait for a league title may be partly to blame, but there is, and has been, a distinct lack of quality coming through from the club's reserve and youth teams. The academy which produced Jamie Carragher, Michael Owen and Steven Gerrard during the 1990s has yielded little since.

Fans' expectations may play a part. The desire for silverware at Anfield is so great that, it could be argued, young players are deemed too great a risk. Benitez's transfer policy may be criticised, but experience is a priceless commodity in football.

Of course it may be simply that these young players are not good enough. Watching Adam Hammill - a Liverpool product - for Barnsley against Manchester United last night, it was easy to see why he may have been deemed a risk - plenty of ability, but very wasteful.

Of Liverpool's current crop, there are a few promising signs. Young defender Martin Kelly made a very impressive full debut against Lyon last week, whilst another local lad, Jay Spearing, made his (less distinguished) league debut at Sunderland.

Benitez also has hopes for young Spaniard Dani Pacheco - like Fabregas, plucked from Barcelona's youth system at a young age - though he is yet to figure in the first team.

Tonight may not be the 1989 league decider, or the 2001 FA Cup final, but it is fascinating nonetheless. For Wenger it is a chance to test his latest infantry against top opposition; for Benitez it is an opportunity to put them in their place, or maybe take a few notes.