Saturday, April 21, 2012

Kenny Praises Rafa Legacy

Liverpool boss Kenny Dalglish has complimented former Reds manager Rafa Benitez on the work he did to lay the foundations of the current Academy structure.

During his time in charge on Merseyside, Benitez implemented wholesale changes to the youth system over at Kirkby and appointed many of the current pool of coaches including Pep Segura, Rodolfo Borrell and Frank McParland.

The changes undertaken by Benitez are generally accepted to have played a significant part in the subsequent increase in youth team players coming through the system.

This season has seen first-team game time for the likes of Jon Flanagan, Jack Robinson and Raheem Sterling, whilst the U19s finished third in the inaugural NextGen Series.

Dalglish admitted to LFC TV: "I think it's been fantastic and it's a great credit to the changes that Rafa made three years ago, bringing in Pep, Rodolfo and Frankie.

"The way it has moved forward is a credit to anyone who has helped in any way, shape or form.

"It was Rafa who brought these people in and we should always be grateful to him for doing that.

"In years to come, if we get some players through it, I'm sure he'll be just as proud as any of the players are. And he should be proud about what he's set up here."

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