Comolli Excited By Academy

Damien Comolli has revealed how a production line from the Academy to Melwood is crucial to the owners' vision of success at Liverpool.

The emergence of players such as Jack Robinson and John Flanagan at the end of last season provided proof that the work being done by the likes of Pep Segura, Frank McParland and Rodolfo Borrell over in Kirkby was paying dividends.

A clutch of others are on the brink of the senior squad - while more than 25 scholars regularly represent their countries at youth level.

Supporters have witnessed for themselves the potential at the Academy thanks to LFC TV airing live matches - and Comolli shares their excitement.

"It's absolutely crucial for the future of the club," said our Director of Football. "The owners came in and very early said the Academy was very important because that's the way they've been running the Red Sox with players coming through the youth development in baseball.

"They would not understand (if we said) we could not do the same here."

Comolli believes the appointment of Kenny Dalglish as manager will improve the chances of producing 'the next Gerrard' yet further.

He explained: "When I arrived I could see straight away the quality was there, the training was in place, very competent people were there like Frank McParland, Pep Segura and Rodolfo Borrell.

"Then it became easier in a way because with Kenny being in charge - he's a kind of link between the two because he was at the Academy for a few years. He knows those kids by heart and coming here to Melwood, he never hesitated in promoting them.

"It is very exciting because they've seen Jack Robinson doing well last year, they've seen Flanno doing well last year, they've seen Conor Coady being involved, they've seen Andre Wisdom being involved, they've seen Raheem being involved.

"It's a very exciting time for the Academy and it's very rewarding for the people in the Academy to see the players they are producing actually being used and being played in the first team.

"They are very grateful that Kenny has decided to put those players in."