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Academy Director praises Rodgers, who’s been ‘true to his word’

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Liverpool AcademyLIVERPOOL’S Academy Director, Frank McParland, has lauded Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers for awarding a number of youth players a chance to shine for the club, according to Sky Sports.

McParland, who has been at Liverpool for 20 years and served under 7 managers, has seen the progress of one-time Academy players such as Steven Gerrard and Michael Owen into household names in football, and under Rodgers he is delighted with his support in honing the young players’ skills in order to prep them for first team action.

Speaking about his delight, McParland said:

“It’s a proud moment when one of the boys actually runs out and plays for the first team but the main thing is just to concentrate on trying to get the next one in.

“In the past all the managers have been supportive of the academy – they’d be stupid not to – because all we’re doing is working for them and trying to get players through, but the boss is very keen on young players.

“He said from day one with me if they’re good enough it doesn’t matter how old they are, he’ll play them and he’s been true to his word.”

The latest Academy starlet to emerge has been Jordon Ibe, the 17 year old was given his debut by Rodgers last season in Liverpool’s final Premiership game against QPR, and notched his second appearance in yesterday’s 4-2 victory against Notts County.

These type of opportunities are why McParland believes that Liverpool is the perfect club to help develop young players:

“The good thing at Liverpool at the moment is the manager will take 15-year-old players to train with the first team, so sometimes even though a boy might not play in the reserves he’s actually training with Steven Gerrard and Luis Suarez.

“It’s great the experience he gets from that – and not everyone sees that and we don’t publicise it a lot – but that is the case. In the last three years we’ve had four of the five youngest ever players in the modern day history of the club that’s Jerome Sinclair, Jack Robinson, Raheem Sterling and Jordon Ibe.”

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14 comments

  • aaron says:

    In Brendan we trust!

  • enuma elish says:

    In FSG we dont

  • LD says:

    As long as FSG is at the helm LFC will never win the EPL or even qualify for the CL.
    So does it matter with the academy yes but no when we can’t afford decent players

  • Samuel says:

    In BR we trust

  • Qlegy says:

    Let dem stick wit d academy and aquire champions league nw,liverpool no evn serious self !!!

  • Goody~Goody says:

    Frankly speaking, keep it up. Rodgers YNWA

  • dizo says:

    I am so disappointed with this American owners..with the way they choosed to take LFC…we might never win anything or get to champions league again..I pity Roger…bcs he is been very disappointed by unwilling to spend by the owners..,.

  • Yomishow says:

    In fairness, Rogers is doing his best, it show dat he is a gud manager by identifying gud players bt his employer is not ready to spend. How I wishd dat it was d Dubai company dat bought d club. FSG is a failure, I dnt regret my words! YNWA!!!

  • tommy says:

    Rodgers has not given the youth fair chances . No morethan any previous Liverpool manager

    • stevie says:

      I agree. He’s clearly got cold feet regarding wisdom. Kelly won’t get much of a look in this season even when he’s recovered fully from injury. Sterling will play some games and ibe not much even though I think he should play more this season. Can’t see too many of our up and coming talents getting a look in this season. Why have an academy if you don’t trust what’s coming through?

  • FSG Out says:

    Mcparland is as big a moron as Rodgers. The reason Brenda picks these youngsters is because he hasnt got the money to spend on the players he wants. Otherwise these youngsters would never see the light of day. Shut up Mcparland.

Comments are closed.