Working with Iraola, car clauses and hope - the Liverpool academy approach
BBC Sport speaks to Alex Inglethorpe about the value and future of Liverpool's academy.
Alex Inglethorpe, the academy director at Liverpool's AXA Training Centre, has overseen the development of players such as Rio Ngumoha, Trey Nyoni, Lewis Koumas, and James McConnell since 2014. These players have featured for the first team this season, following a journey that could take up to 10 years. Inglethorpe emphasizes that the ideal for the academy is for young, local players to improve and contribute to winning trophies with the first team.
He stresses the importance of a high standard at Liverpool, where players are expected to earn their place on the first team, rather than being granted an automatic position. The academy is located near the first team pitch, but the journey to first team football can take many years. Under new manager Andoni Iraola, the academy has already benefited from Iraola's early interest in the players during his first week at the club.
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