MCAULEY LOOKING FOR POSITIVE RESPONSE

Liverpool coach Hughie McAuley is looking for a positive response from the Under-18 team as they hope to put the heavy opening day defeat behind them when they take on Nottingham Forest this lunchtime.

The Reds Academy side haven't played since they lost their opening Academy match 5-0 at Aston Villa and the players are eager to put right what went wrong that day.

"We haven't played for three weeks but the lads have trained well and are raring to go," McAuley told Liverpoolfc.tv.

"We had a few harsh words with the lads after the Aston Villa game and it was a wake up call for us. I suppose you could say it's better to lose that way at the start rather than the end of the season but we are Liverpool and we don't like losing, especially 5-0.

"We are a new team with new staff as well so it's a learning curve for all of us."

McAuley is boosted by the presence of centre half Martin Kelly in the team against Forest. Kelly has recently been promoted to training full-time at Melwood and is rated highly.

"Martin is doing very well and we are pleased for him to get this chance to show what he can do at Melwood," added McAuley.

"I was talking to Gary Ablett who told me he has settled in well. He is a good centre half and he will strengthen our defence."

The match kicks-off in Nottingham at 12 noon.