Reds Star In The Lake District

Liverpool Reserves recently enjoyed a two-day workshop aimed at enhancing their conduct as professional footballers - both on and off the pitch.

The young Reds retreated to a secluded hotel in the Lake District where they listened to a variety of presentations as well as taking part in some good-natured team building exercises.

The Academy's head of education and welfare, Phil Roscoe was highly satisfied with the outcome of an intense 48 hours and was keen to explain how the club believes such a trip will benefit the stars of the future.

Roscoe told Liverpoolfc.tv: "We spoke with Damien Comolli and agreed that we would do something a bit different with the reserves this season.

"This involved not just concentrating on the football side of things but also taking time out to focus on other areas of life.

"There is a whole package to being a footballer and we want the lads to understand this. Going from U18s to reserves involves more pressure both and off the pitch.

"So what we wanted to do was to bring experts in from various areas so that they could speak to the players about what they could do to maximize their chances of conducting themselves professionally on and off the field."

The program involved insightful presentations on finance, alcoholism and drug abuse.

This was followed by some media training, as well as talks on internet safety and sexual health.

Roscoe continued: "It was quite extensive. Frank McParland kicked it off and discussed what he wanted from the players and how the Academy was changing and improving.

"Damien (Comolli) then wrapped the whole thing up by concluding with what is required of them if they want to become Liverpool's first-team players of the future.

"I was delighted with the overall success of the trip and I'd like to think every single player will take something from it.

"It was a great chance to get them away from the training field and put them into a room where they would be involved in important talks about life skills."

The experts who took part in the program also gave the event their thumbs up.