If there has been one positive note to the season, it is the progress registered by the reserves. Gary Ablett has done a fantastic job in moulding them together as a team but, in reality, he’s been blessed with a group of exceptional individuals many of whom look more than capable of making it all the way

Five of the Best
5 Stephen Darby
As dependable as they come, Darby rarely misplaces a pass, loses out in a tackle or gets caught out of position. He’s not one to bomb down the flank and as such is less likely to get noticed. Yet he will become a very good player if he is given the chance to develop.

4 Damien Plessis
After all the young French players signed by Gerard Houllier and who left without making any sort of impact, here might be someone who could actually progress to the first team. Plessis fulfills an important role in midfield in winning the ball and making sure that it reaches a red shirt – a mini Mascherano or Didi Hamann if you like. Like most of the players on this list, he needs to bulk up a little bit but, when he does, he will be quite a player.

3 Kristian Nemeth
The Hungarian striker has certainly made an impression since joining in the summer. His technique is very much above average and he is an instinctive striker. What he lacks is a little bit of experience and the strength to cope with the demands of English football, both of which will come with time.

2 Jay Spearing
Perhaps unlucky to play in a role where there is so much talent in the first team, Spearing has been nothing short of exceptional in the reserves. His tackling, distribution and vision are all top quality and he is definitely ready for the first team.

1 Emiliano Insua
Reports over the weekend claim that so impressed was Kevin Keegan by Insua’s performance at left back last week against Newcastle’s reserves that he wants to sign him during the summer.

That might not be true but it would hardly be surprising so impressive was he on the night. In fact, he has been excellent from the start of the season and it is somewhat perplexing that he hasn’t featured at least as a reserve in one of the cup competitions, especially given Liverpool’s problems in that spot.