Staunton making big impression early on

January 1987

STEPHEN Staunton, who turns 18 this month, returns to Liverpool after a break at home over Christmas.

He joined the famous Merseyside club last August, and has been an ever-present in the reserve team, making 14 appearances and scoring four goals.

Liverpool lie League table.

‘Anfield is like a dream to play on. I don’t know how to describe it. The pitch is like a carpet.

‘Even going to see the first team playing there, you get a great feeling,’ he says.

Player-manager Kenny Dalglish has a few chats with him, to see how he is settling in, but he has not felt too homesick.

‘ The beginning was the worst bit, but through staying with my aunt and coming home (this is joint-second in the Central his second visit) I have got over it.’

The normal attendance for reserve games is around 1,000, but there are 6,000 present when Liverpool play Everton.

Staunton comes up against Neville Southall and Peter Reid in that game, wh ile he also contends with Mark Walters (Aston Villa), Liam O’Brien and Joe O’Hanrahan (Manchester Utd.) in other fixtures. He is satisfied with what he has achieved so far. There is only one other 17-year-old in the reserves, and he has not been an ever-present.

Stephen rubs shoulders with the likes of Ian Rush and Mark Lawrenson, but takes it all in his stride.

‘You can talk to the first team players, no problem, and have a good conversation with them.’

Coming up for the Dundalk teenager is a reserve game, followed by an FA youths fixture, which will blow away the holiday cobwebs.