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LIVERPOOL have confirmed the appointments of new backroom staff Sean O'Driscoll and Pep Lijnders.

Former Doncaster Rovers and Nottingham Forest boss O'Driscoll is the club's assistant manager, while Dutchman Lijnders has taken the newly created position of first team development coach.

Both coaches start work at Melwood today with most of Brendan Rodgers' squad returning to pre-season training.

Rodgers said: "I have made these appointments because I want to take us in a new technical direction, in terms of coaching.

"I believe the entire first-team set-up will benefit and I am extremely positive and excited about what we can achieve, as a group, going forward.

"My admiration for Sean, as a professional, is well documented.

"He is someone with a clear vision and philosophy and has proved he has the ability to transfer that knowledge, through his coaching, to the players.

"I am looking forward to working with him and also learning from his experiences and gaining valuable knowledge from his expertise."

O'Driscoll added: "I am excited to be joining one of the world's most iconic football clubs. The hallmark of any successful club is its culture and that comes from the people who work there, from the chief executive and first-team manager to those people behind the scenes whose faces may not be known but who are the lifeblood of the club.

"From the moment I drove into Melwood last week and was greeted by Kenny the gateman, I could not have been made to feel more welcome. If you are going to have any level of success these people are as crucial as the players; from my experiences so far it is clear everyone wants to help this club succeed."

O'Driscoll takes over from Colin Pascoe, who was sacked at the end of last season.

A successor for Mike Marsh, whose contract wasn't renewed back in June, has yet to be appointed with Liverpool still looking to appoint a first-team coach.

O'Driscoll has quit his role as England Under-19s coach in order to accept the opportunity to join the Reds.

Lijnders takes the step up from the Kirkby Academy where he has been under-16s coach for the past year.

And the senior squad are now also set to benefit from his regular presence at Melwood.

Rodgers said: "This presents a fantastic opportunity for Pep and one I know he will grasp with both hands.

"He has excelled at the Academy and I believe this is the perfect time for him to make the step up to the first-team set-up and use his talents for the benefit of the senior squad.

"Pep displays a passion and enthusiasm for his profession that is truly infectious and I believe will have a positive impact."

Lijnders added: "I feel proud and honoured to work closely with Brendan and his staff. I couldn't think of a better attacking manager to assist.

"Everybody knows how I feel about representing this amazing club. The owners have a clear and strong philosophy which is based on developing top young players into elite - I want to thank them for giving me this opportunity.

"I had a great first year at the Liverpool FC Academy; Alex (Inglethorpe) and his coaching staff are creating something unique there. Again, I am proud to be part of the team and we will give everything."

How Carra told us first!

His role is centred upon elite player development and he will also continue to do some one-to-one work with the best Academy youngsters.