Use your head like Sadio and subscribe to the Liverpool FC newsletter Sign me up Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email

Liverpool are set to appoint Barry Lewtas as Steven Gerrard’s successor at the Kirkby Academy.

The ECHO understands that Lewtas will be promoted from his current role as Under-16s boss to take over the Under-18s for the coming season.

The Reds have been considering their options since Gerrard announced in early May that he would be stepping down after accepting the manager’s job at Rangers.

Lewtas is a highly-rated youth coach who has previously worked for Wigan Athletic and Bolton Wanderers. He joined Liverpool in 2013 and initially coached the under-12s at the Academy.

(Image: Nick Taylor/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)

In 2015 he started a new role with the under-15s and two years ago he stepped up to take the under-16s. He’s credited with playing a key role in the development of gifted youngsters such as Curtis Jones and Adam Lewis.

Lewtas has worked closely with Kop legend and former Academy director Steve Heighway, who was brought back to the club by current Academy director Alex Inglethorpe to pass on his expertise.

“Steve has been a massive help for my development as a coach,” Lewtas told the club’s website last year.

(Image: Nick Taylor/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)

“When you are working with the coaching team you are always trying new things and for me to be able to share my ideas with Steve and listen to his is fantastic.

"The experience he has is invaluable and the sheer enthusiasm he has for the game and wanting to see young players develop and do well is infectious.”

With Lewtas taking over the under-18s, Neil Critchley will remain in charge of Liverpool Under-23s for the 2018/19 season.