FA Youth Cup Final, second leg (1-2; Agg 2-6)
Venue: Anfield
Date: Tuesday, 26 May

McAuley hopes the Reds continue to compete in the future

Liverpool Youth manager Hugh McAuley says his side can be positive despite falling to a 6-2 aggregate defeat by Arsenal in the FA Youth Cup final.

McAuley's side were beaten 2-1 in the second leg of the final at Anfield on Tuesday evening.

"We played against the best team in the country at youth level," McAuley told BBC Radio Merseyside.

"It's a fantastic learning experience for these players and hopefully they can gain a lot of confidence."

But the Liverpool coach believes the Gunners are the benchmark at youth level and his side now need to learn and catch up if they are to be successful in the future.

"I think what we have to take on board is the fact that we played against a real good Arsenal team," continued McAuley.

"If that is the level we need to get to - then we have still got a bit to do. We have still got a while before as a team we can compete with these type of teams.

"Credit to our boys they've worked hard and we've got some good individuals. Hopefully in time we can develop into a better team."

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