Kenny Dalglish hails Rafa Benitez for reviving Liverpool FC youth set-up

Kenny Dalglish today paid tribute to Rafael Benitez for his part in reviving Liverpool's youth academy.

Conor Coady and Suso, two mainstays of the current under-17 squad, were familiarised with Melwood, the club's training ground, this week as part of plans to blood more youngsters from the previously ailing centre of excellence in Kirkby into the senior ranks in the long-term
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Kirkby underwent a significant transformation in the summer of 2009 when Benitez, then manager of the Reds, enlisted the services of Rodolfo Borrell and Pep Segura - key figures in Barcelona's La Masia academy set-up.

In addition to recruiting his compatriots, the Spaniard also brought one-time chief scout Frank McParland back to his former club to oversee the progression of Liverpool's rising stars.

And Dalglish has hailed Benitez, who left the club acrimoniously last summer, for his efforts in restoring the Anfield production line following more than a decade of decline.

He said: "I wouldn't go and say there are any kids who played in the Youth Cup against Crystal Palace are going to be first team [yet] but the progress at the Academy in the last year and a half has been absolutely fantastic.

"That's great credit to Rafa who brought in Pep Segura, Rodolfo Borrell and Frank McParland. He reorganised the whole Academy and you can see the benefit in the kids now. It's fantastic to see.

"The reserve team's average age has been drastically reduced. Whether we get them through or not, we'd never put that pressure on them, but we're clearly encouraged by the work that's being done there and it's a work in progress."

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"Wouldn't it be nice for Rafa to be assistant to Kenny. One a Man-Manager and the other a technical genius. Legends forever. YWNA " Wayne Balliah, Johannesburg, South Africa around 2 years, 4 months ago

"Rafa will never walk alone, i love this man because he as Liverpool in is heart, and i hope he takes over after Kenny Ynwa" trubz, West Midlands around 2 years, 4 months ago

"Rafa was bullied in the press, if he hadnt stood up for LFC we would be so much worse off than we are now. He fought when others would quit" BK, Solihull around 2 years, 4 months ago

"the truth always sets us free,when someone deserves the credit he should get it shows that kenny has principles." Nhende Blessing, Zimbabwe around 2 years, 4 months ago

"Rafa should come back on the boot room, that some serious talent going to waste that we could capitalize on YNWA Rafa." we won it 5 times thanks to Mr Benitez YNWA, Liverpool around 2 years, 4 months ago

"Sad mancs obsessed with Liverpool more than their own bankrupt team still suffering from rafa's 4-1 Go Glazers" Tardelli, Milan around 2 years, 4 months ago

"YNWA Rafa Always makes me proud to see your face in the KOP and i'm proud to say you was our manager YNWA96" King Kenny And Rafa's Red Men, Wolverhampton around 2 years, 4 months ago

"Rafa a true legend Ignorant people talk bad of Rafa proper educated supporters know the score they are able to look at the bigger picture" Shankly loves you Rafa., Liverpool around 2 years, 4 months ago

"Nd as for hail rafa, he an idiot, got door at inter aftr 6 months, he no genius, Stevie G and gudluck won CL nd FA cup,nt rafa r his players" John, Dublin around 2 years, 4 months ago

"Yeh but fat Rafa bought Johnson and crippled Aquilani. Waste of £40m." Adam, Mars around 2 years, 4 months ago

"lol at people who actually thought Rafa was the decline other than some silly transfers, ridiculous, he was one of our best." James, UTB around 2 years, 4 months ago

"Always believed in Rafa and wish he was still boss with new regime. Well said Kenny." Tony, Gosport around 2 years, 4 months ago

"Redmist, rafa is a fat spanish waiter he made lfc into fawltey towers, nd as for suport local team, Lfc fan base makes it club it is, IDIOT" John, Dublin around 2 years, 4 months ago

"Nice one Kenny. Raffa gave us some great times. Long live Kenny Long live Raffa. both of them love the club." john, liverpool around 2 years, 4 months ago

"Mad Mick? Obviou8sly not a Red! Only the cockney media mafia and rival teams call Rafr a Fat Spanish waiter! Go and support your local team " RedMist!!!, Liverpool around 2 years, 4 months ago

"Rafa was a media target and hammered. Unfortunately too many jumped on the bandwagon. He also worked with arseholes in Hicks and Gillett" Marty, Suffolk around 2 years, 4 months ago

"Hopefully Kenny's comments will go some way to ending the media witch hunt to which Rafa was and still remains a victim of. " Harry, UK around 2 years, 4 months ago

"well done Raffa, much happier to see Kenny back, lets see how things change now!!!!!" Tridan, home around 2 years, 4 months ago

"At least something good said about Rafa. Good work Rafa, Maybe come back one day? :)" Grant, Scarborough around 2 years, 4 months ago

"Mad Mick, stick to a London club and stop talking about things you obviously know nothing about" Pierce, Limerick, Ireland around 2 years, 4 months ago

"well done Kenny for pointing out this. If rafa was not messed around i think by now we should be up there challenging for honours." Thedias kasaira, zimbabwe around 2 years, 4 months ago

"2 things Rafa did well then huh...glad the fat waiter has gone" Mad Mick, London around 2 years, 4 months ago

"King Kenny and Rafa 2 L.F.C. Legends" Gerry O'Connell, Limerick,Ireland around 2 years, 4 months ago

"Finally someone giving Raffa some credit for the work that he did at the club. Credit to Kenny for seeing the good that Raffa did. " Kerry, New Jersey around 2 years, 4 months ago

"thanks rafa!" fan from singapore, ss@d.com around 2 years, 4 months ago

"Nice one Kenny why not bring in Rafa to give you a hand with the kids, he's got plenty of time on his hands and lives a few miles away" Bill, Liverpool around 2 years, 4 months ago

"I remember people saying that Rafa wanted 2 control everything when reorganising the academy.Thanks Kenny 4 pointing out Rafa's good work." WR, South Africa around 2 years, 4 months ago

"and to think there are brain dead mugs that think rafa was bad for lfc,, rafa was great for lfc, giving us the academy,,, well said kenny!!" samuel, LIV AND LONDON around 2 years, 4 months ago

"i agree with and already believed all kenny has said but i think he is deliberately downplaying his hopes for the lads sake." stan howard, liverpool around 2 years, 4 months ago

"Thanks Kenny, Rafa left a great youth legacy totally ignored by the 'experts'. Take note Lawrenson, Hansen et al." Marshy, Liverpool around 2 years, 4 months ago

"Dalglish is being honest, graceful in admitting the contribution of Rafa, Hdgson was mean in his comments. Rafa is CL winning legend!" Zahir, London around 2 years, 4 months ago

"Thank God someone said it. Well In Rafa and well in Kenny" Tahir Ahmad, London around 2 years, 4 months ago