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Brendan Rodgers has enlisted the help of three Liverpool FC greats to help nurture the club’s next generation of talent.

Robbie Fowler, Steve McManaman and Rob Jones have been snapped up on a part-time basis to work with the Reds’ under-21s and under-18s squads at the Kirkby Academy.

Rodgers is keen to tap into the knowledge and experience of former Kop favourites and believes Liverpool’s youngsters will benefit greatly from being mentored by the trio.

Fowler, McManaman and Jones are assisting head coaches Alex Inglethorpe and Neil Critchley by providing specialist sessions in their particular area of expertise.

“It’s great to have Robbie, Steve and Rob on board,” Rodgers told the ECHO.

“I said at the end of last season that I wanted to get more former players involved and over the off-season I spoke to a number of them about a possible role here.

“For me it’s so important to have players like that around.

“These are players who the young guys look up to.

“The three of them have come in recently and I know they have thoroughly enjoyed having that involvement of working with the kids.

“We’re starting with the older Academy players as they are ones they can really affect at this moment.

“It’s both coaching and mentoring, and Alex Inglethorpe is managing that process.

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“At the moment it’s about individual work with the players.

“Steve McManaman is working with the wingers and attacking players, Rob Jones is doing some work with the full-backs and defenders, and Robbie Fowler is obviously working with the strikers.

“They are giving them little pointers and passing on experiences from their own careers to help the youngsters. What we are doing is providing an opportunity for the former players.

“Then further down the line we will see what their interests are in that field.

“The young players coming through are picking up vital bits of information. I’m pleased that it’s working well.”

Rodgers has always embraced Liverpool’s illustrious past since his arrival at Anfield 16 months ago.

Toxteth-born Fowler, Kirkdale-born McManaman and lifelong Red Jones were selected not only because of what they achieved during their playing days but also because they know exactly what it means to represent the Reds.

“Sometimes managers feel the need to distance themselves from players like that but I love what this institution is all about at Liverpool,” Rodgers added.

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“It’s important to retain that connection with the history of the club. I want to protect that great history to ensure these players get the opportunity to be involved at a club they love.

“We lost a true great in Jamie Carragher this summer and you need people around who love the club dearly.

“If you look throughout the club now, we have lots of staff from this area. We have Mike Marsh on the staff with the first team – a local boy who came through and played for the first team.

“Frank McParland, our Academy director, knows the area inside out and guys like that are very important to me in understanding the culture of Liverpool.

“Getting the likes of Robbie, Steve and Rob involved is all part of that. They offer wisdom, they have played at the top level and they also understand what playing for Liverpool Football Club is all about.”

Jones, whose 12-year-old son Declan is on the books at the Kirkby Academy, didn’t need a second invitation after Rodgers sought his services.

“When Brendan called me to ask if I would be interested, I jumped at the chance to get involved,” he said.

“I really want to see the club do well and I’m happy to help the Academy youngsters in any way I can.

“There is some great talent coming through and Brendan has shown he’s very willing to put his faith in youth. Hopefully we’ll see more of the young players taking that step up to Melwood.”