Don't miss the big Liverpool FC stories by getting our newsletter Sign me up Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email

Liverpool Under-23s boss Neil Critchley believes the return of Pep Lijnders is a major boost for the club's aspiring youngsters.

The highly-rated Dutch coach was brought back into the fold by Jurgen Klopp this summer after a short spell managing NEC Nijmegen in his homeland.

Prior to his departure back in January, Lijnders was the key link between Kirkby and Melwood in his role as first-team development coach.

Lijnders now has greater responsibility having filled the void created by Zeljko Buvac's exit but his close ties with the Academy remain.

“For us as an Academy, it's great that Pep is back because he's a big believer in youth and developing young players,” Critchley said.

“He's obviously a good ally for us to be able to talk to. I'm delighted that he's back in the first-team fold.

“We're very fortunate because we have good lines of communication.”

Academy talents Curtis Jones, Rafa Camacho and Nat Phillips all made impressive contributions after being handed opportunities by Klopp in pre-season.

(Image: Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)

Critchley says the relationship with Lijnders helps ensure that it's not a culture shock for young players when they move up to Melwood.

“We have access to training and can watch the training, and obviously we can speak to Pep,” Critchley added.

“We're fortunate that we've got an 'in' so to speak at Melwood with the first team. That's really important because if we're going to give them players, we don't want them to fail when they have an audition.

“If they go from a completely different style of play here or different types of training sessions and they go to Melwood and it's the first time they've ever been in a session like that they could easily be like a fish up a tree and might only last a week.

“It's not exactly the same but we try and replicate some of the sessions and how the team plays because when they get up there we want it to be familiar to them.”

One Academy teenager who has made the leap to Melwood on a permanent basis is Rhian Brewster.

The 18-year-old striker will be part of the first-team squad for the second half of this season once he has completed his rehab following knee and ankle injuries.

Brewster ended speculation about his future when he signed a five-year professional deal last month and Critchley believes he made a wise decision.

(Image: Liverpool FC)

"I was delighted. I always thought he would sign. I never thought there would be any danger of him leaving," Critchley added.

"I know how much he loves being at Liverpool. I know what the people and the club mean to him. I'm absolutely delighted that he's decided to stay and sees his future at the football club.

"Obviously, he's got his injury issue at the moment. But I'm sure he'll be doing a few people's heads in down at Melwood, chomping at the bit and ready to return.

"He'll be quite restless. He's a young boy who loves playing football and wants to play football. He'll hugely frustrated at the moment. The contract was a real pick-me-up for him and for us."

* Liverpool Under-23s face Tottenham at Anfield on Friday night (7pm kick-off). Tickets can be bought from the ticket office at Anfield until 5pm on Friday. It's £3 for adults and £1 for concessions. There will be no walk up sales on the night. Season ticket holders and members can gain admission free of charge but must still secure their ticket in advance.