Cliff Byrne is keen to pick up where Andy Welsh left off as Sunderland under-23s prepare to welcome Liverpool to Eppleton CW on Sunday, KO 12pm.
Following Welsh’s departure to Wigan Athletic this week, Byrne will take charge of the development team this weekend as the new under-23s boss Elliott Dickman watches on.
Last weekend saw Welsh bow out with pleasing victory over Cardiff City, courtesy of goals from Tom Beadling and Rees Greenwood, and now Byrne is keen to continue that momentum.
The Irishman also told safc.com his troops are expecting a hard fought battle against Liverpool but will have high hopes of rectifying the defeat suffered at Prenton Park earlier this season against them.
“We had been driving it together but Andy was very instrumental and he made it very clear what he wanted from the lads,” he said.
“Myself and Scott (Ainsley) were both on board with that and we’ll be driving it on in the next couple of days going into Liverpool which is going to be a tough game.
“The boys were terrific last weekend against Cardiff City for the best part of 55 minutes – their performance certainly merited the win and a couple more goals wouldn’t have been undeserved.
“We have looked after them this week because it has been a busy schedule in recent weeks, we have prepared well going into Sunday’s match.”
“We came up a little bit short last time we played them,” he continued.
“They had a strong side out on the day and while their first-team have games coming up, with the way their teams are playing at the moment it doesn’t matter who they bring with them because we know they will be tough either way.”
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