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Brendan Rodgers outlines plans for starlets in his Liverpool FC blueprint

by Richard Buxton. Published Wed 11 Jul 2012 08:00, last updated: 11/07/12

Brendan Rodgers has revealed his plans to include Liverpool's youngsters in his Anfield revolution.

The Reds' production line has enjoyed something of a revival with the likes of Martin Kelly, Jay Spearing and Jon Flanagan all making the step up to the club's senior ranks in recent years.

With the latest crop of players emerging from the operations centre in Kirkby said to be the best since the respective breakthroughs of Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher, Rodgers is keen to continue the development starting with the club's pre-season tour of North America.

The 39-year-old says he will have Pep Segura, the academy's technical director, among his coaching squad for the three friendlies across the Atlantic later this month in a bid to develop an understanding of the current set-up and how it can be included in his own Anfield blueprint.

"If the players are good enough [to step up], that's important," he insisted.

"I've liked what I've seen in one or two of the younger kids I've had up with us in the last few days. They'll be up [at Melwood] with me all this week as well.

"I've spoke to [academy director] Frank McParland at length in terms of the academy structure. I'm bringing Pep Segura, who's our technical director, out to America with me so I can learn a bit more from his work and what he's doing.

"My vision isn't just for the first team - it's a model and a philosophy that hopefully we can systemize right the way through the football club. If we get the chance to give those players the opportunity then we'll do that."

One youngster already hitting the headlines this summer is midfielder Suso as he emerged as a standout performer in Spain's defence of their European Under-19 Championship title.

The 18-year-old, who will face France in tomorrow's semi final, has demonstrated qualities which would be well suited to Rodgers' brand of short-passing, high-intensity football.

And though the Kop boss is well aware of Suso's ability, he has underlined the importance of a strong mentality and timing if he and other starlets are able to make the first team transition.

He added: "I think, hopefully, one thing that the club can benefit from is I spent many of my years managing the expectation and expertise in young players so young players will be important [at Liverpool]. It's just about timing.

"Everything's about timing; when you put them in and he's [Suso] a boy I've really heard enough about in terms of his talent. Hopefully I find that working with him in terms of his mentality will be strong and if he does then he'll have a chance.

"I want technically gifted players but players that have [also] got courage with the ball and for that you need to be mentally strong, and that's what we'll look at over the course of our youth players and senior players."

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"It shows brendan has the ability to encourage and also motivate youth players not to feel inferior as long as they are technically gifted" abbey, abuja around 10 months, 1 week ago

"These are encouraging comments." Chambers, Bristol around 10 months, 2 weeks ago

 
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