Conor Masterson

Yeah I would definitely say Masterson was a major case of that. I'd say it also get's to the point with a lot of the young players that they are in a cosy spot - playing for one of the best and most popular teams in the world, world class coaches, facilities, probably OK money for a young player etc. Combined with the fact Liverpool are probably happy enough to keep them as they are good lads, suitable for developmental football etc. Liverpool only need to produce one or two every few years for their academy to be a success. 

Then as you said when they do eventually leave it's a question of how far they fall. If we look at the Irish lads who've been at Liverpool in recent years: Dan Cleary went back to Dundalk and now gone over to St. Johnstone, Glen McAuley back to a few LOI clubs and was at Athlone last season, Corey Whelan who's at Carlisle and a bit further back Alex O'Hanlon who came home and is now playing LSL it seems. It must be quite the shock to the system when you find yourself dropping like a stone after leaving a big club. You would imagine that Masterson will find his level like Cleary has.

I noticed yesterday that Alan Sheehan retired yesterday. Anybody who saw him play knows he could hold a lower league midfield in the palm of his hand. James Collins also scores prolifically in the lower leagues, graduating to a regular starting role in the championship in his late twenties. Assuming that a player will flourish, just because he has trained at Liverpool or Man United is wide of the mark.

"Giddiness and hype".. I love how a player has their potential discussed and when they fail to fulfill it there are posters jumping on it. Very few players make it. I reckon most people here and in the media live in hope rather than expectation. 

All the best to Masterson in his next steps. 

I'm not being negative towards Masterson, I'm genuinely sorry it isnt working out for him. As I said, perhaps the LOI route might give him a chance to resurrect his career.

I do think its ok for fans here to discuss young players and 'hope' they make it. We are all very well aware that very few do make it. Of course we all live in hope rather than expectation. Not one of us 'expects' a 17 yr old kid to make it. We hope he does.

But we are allowed to hope!

But it’s more than acknowledgement. There is almost constant scrutiny on him, and we seem to know in detail every game he  lays, every time he is subbed, every time he makes a chance etc. The scrutiny is a product of hype, and when he doesn’t score weekly people seem disappointed rather than letting a young 18 year old get on with the job of developing as a footballer.

Think about it, there has been no hype (or little at least) about Our new defenders. And the reason for that is that there are so many of them, and as a result we just enjoy watching them.

Yeah LOI could be an option for him - worked out well for Dan Cleary. Was rotting away in Birmingham's U23s before he came back.

He's slipping down the leagues with these moves though. Talk of League 2 for his next loan in that article. That's not a great sign at his age.