Former Reading midfielder Liam Kelly revealed that the 4-4 draw with Liverpool in the FA Youth Cup is in his top five matches of his career.

27-year-old Kelly graduated through the ranks at Reading, playing 94 times for the first team between 2016 and 2019.

However, it is with the Under-18s in the FA Youth Cup that he made his name.

Alongside stars such as Rob Dickie and Jack Stacey, Kelly was a key member of the team that reached the quarter final of the prestigious competition in 2014.

This was the first time that the club had reached the last eight since 1988, with David Dodds' team progressing past Liverpool on penalties in a crazy 4-4 draw.

Looking back on the match with the Reading Chronicle, Kelly (now of Rochdale) beamed: "I still look back on it every now and then still to this day. Watching it back now still gives me the same buzz and happiness as it did all of those years ago. I honestly could say it would be ranked in my top five matches I’ve had in my career so far. I think the game had everything."

Unfortunately, the run ended in the two-legged semi final with Fulham.

"It was a good game in both legs when we played them," he explained. "Again, having just beat Liverpool we went into the game knowing we could win and feeling confident. But again, I think Fulham had an unbelievable squad as well that year. Moussa Dembele and Patrick Roberts are two names that stand out who both have gone onto the top levels of football."

The next crop of youngsters are in action tonight against Everton, looking to progress to round four.

Speaking on the importance of the competition, and the Academy in general, the diminutive midfielder can't speak highly of the opportunity.

"Growing up in the Academy, and especially getting towards Under 16’s, the FA Youth Cup is special. And then when you get to become a scholar, it’s all that is ever spoken about amongst the boys all season. It’s what everyone looks forward too. The FA Youth Cup as a scholar is like the pinnacle of youth team football.

"I think for many years it was something that Reading was known for, having very good academy. Many teams before us had very good players. Regarding our squad, it was a very special group blessed with a number of very good players. Credit to every coaching staff in the set up at that time, because without them it wouldn’t have been possible.

"Eamonn [Dolan] played a massive part in everyone’s development across all age groups at the Academy. I think the impact he had isn’t possible to put into words what he done for the Reading Academy. Still to this day his name gets spoken about around the club, so it just shows the impact he had.

"I can honestly sit here today and say with Eamonn Dolan there is no way I would have gone on to to play for the First Team and even beyond in the Football League."