BUCHTMANN NAMED AS STAR OF FUTURE; KOP kids kids The Liverpool Academy with James Pearce.

Byline: JAMES PEARCE 

LIVERPOOL Academy left-back Christopher Buchtmann has been named as one of the top 10 stars of the future by UEFA.

The 17-year-old has just returned to Merseyside after playing a starring role in Germany winning the European Under-17 Championships.

The hosts beat Holland 2-1 after extra time in Monday's final in front of a capacity 24,000 crowd.

Playing on the left-hand side of midfield, he scored against Turkey and had a hand in three goals during the 4-0 rout of England in the group stage.

He also set up the opener in the 2-0 semi-final win over Italy and provided the cross for Germany to equalise in the final.

Butchtmann will now turn his attention to club duty and Friday's FA Youth Cup final first leg with Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium.

Rather than risk key players, the Reds sent an under-16s side to Bolton for their final FA Premier Academy League match last Saturday and lost 3-0.

The defeat means Liverpool finished fourth in the Group C table, level on points with West Brom, but with an inferior goal difference.

Coach Hughie McAuley used the weekend to continue preparations for the final.

He said: "We had a good full training session and some match preparation. It was the first chance we have had to get most of the team together. We are looking forward to the final." McAuley has injury concerns over Spanish centre-back Daniel Ayala and striker Nathan Eccleston. Midfielder Adam Pepper is definitely out with a groin injury.

Liverpool defender Martin Kelly has been called into the England Under-19 squad for their European Championship qualifiers.

Brian Eastick's side take on Bosnia at Doncaster Rovers (May 27), Slovakia at Bradford City (May 29) and Scotland at Sheffield United (June 1). All matches will kick-off at 7pm.

The winners of the four-team tournament will secure a place in the last eight for July's final stage in Ukraine..