Source: PA
Segura sets first-team target
Liverpool's academy technical manager Josep Segura is determined to find more young talent for the first team having seen an improvement in the quality of players in his charge.
Promotion through the ranks has become increasingly difficult at most Barclays Premier League clubs because of the need for instant results.
At Anfield former reserve team defender Martin Kelly has established himself in Roy Hodgson's senior squad this season, starting five Europa League matches and making three Premier League appearances.
But the path from the club's academy in Kirkby to the first team is not a well-trodden one, although former reserves captain Jay Spearing - currently recovering from an ankle injury - Dani Pacheco and Nathan Eccleston have made infrequent appearances in the current campaign.
Segura knows their main task at the academy is to provide better quality players who can cut it at the highest level.
"The most important thing for Liverpool is that these players aged 16, 17 and 18 years old go on to become professionals with this club," said the Spaniard, formerly an academy and B team coach at Barcelona. "This is our target. It is clear that we must strive to produce great players to play for Liverpool for years to come and hopefully they can help us to win many trophies at first-team level."
