JAMIE CARRAGHER has praised the character of Stephen Darby for bouncing back from his bittersweet debut – but believes the influx of foreign youngsters into the Premier League makes it more difficult than ever for homegrown talent to break through.
Darby was man-of-the-match on only his second senior start for Liverpool in their 1-1 FA Cup third round draw at Reading at the weekend.
The 21-year-old made his full debut last month in the Champions League dead rubber with Fiorentina at Anfield, after three previous substitute appearances.
However, an encouraging display against the Italians ended on a low note with a mistake that let in Alberto Gilardino to net an injury-time winner for the visitors.
But Carragher believes right-back Darby made the most of his opportunity after being given another first-team chance on Saturday.
“I thought Stephen was outstanding, not just in terms of his performance but his character too,” said the 31-year-old. “He got a little bit of criticism in his last game against Fiorentina, he made a mistake at the very end but he had played very well.
“It’s not just about playing the game, it’s also about showing character when you play for Liverpool. And the character he showed on Saturday was superb and I’m made up for the lad. He’s a great professional, a good lad and the type of lad you want to do well.
“I’m pleased he got another chance. I didn’t want him to not get another game after what happened against Fiorentina, but I told him that if he took what happened at the end away, then he was one of our best players on the night. He didn’t have a bad game, he made a bad mistake, and there is a difference there.
“He showed real character to come out and do well in a tough game where as a team we didn’t play particularly well.”
Like Darby, Carragher is a product of Liverpool’s youth system, but reckons the global pull of the Premier League and the demands of instant success in the first team are considerable obstacles for local hopefuls to overcome.
“I think it’s more difficult to come through the ranks now than when I was a youngster,” said the centre-back. “There are a lot more foreign players at the club, and now with the level the team is at, basically if they want to come through then they have to be ready to play Champions League football. That shows how difficult it is.”
Darby, the current reserve team captain who won the FA Youth Cup in 2006 and 2007 and the national reserves league trophy in 2008, admits his mistake against Fiorentina played on his mind in the days after the game.
But he says the support of Carragher and the rest of the Liverpool squad has helped him relaunch his career.
“It was a big confidence booster to be selected for the game and it shows the manager has faith in me,” said Maghull-born Darby. “I tried to repay that faith by putting in a good performance.
“It hurt for a couple of days after the Fiorentina game, but that’s where you’ve got to be mentally tough and overcome it in training sessions. The lads got behind me and gave me great advice and encouragement.
“Hopefully there will be a couple of more chances in the next couple of weeks. You’ve got to be level-headed and realise the hard work is only just beginning.
“It gives you a lift to hear the likes of Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher saying good things about you, but at the same time you have to remain level headed and keep your feet on the ground. It’s important to realise the hard work has only just begun.”
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