Liverpool's aspiring crop of Academy youngsters should use attacking midfielder Philippe Coutinho as a role model in their aim to become an 'extreme technician' according to U21s manager Alex Inglethorpe.

Discussing the importance of balancing positional awareness with a licence for expression when developing a young player, Inglethorpe pointed to the 21-year-old Brazilian as a perfect example.

The U21s boss, who joined the Reds' set-up in November 2012 from Tottenham, also highlighted the importance of flexibility during the early stages of a youngster's career.

"You've got to be very careful when you're developing a young player, because ideally what you want is an extreme technician to play at the top level," Inglethorpe explained to the Bib Theorists website.

"So you've got to be very careful of how much tactical work you put into them too early because they can become a little bit rigid in their thinking. You still want them to explore the game and you still want things to be new for them.

"Of course, the hardest thing to actually acquire as a young player is the correct technique. The understanding can often come with age and a little bit more detail given to them further down the line.

"In my opinion, the more extremes you can have as a technician, then the more successful you're going to be as a player.

"If you look at who we've signed recently, Coutinho would be a great example of a young player who of course has the understanding of where to play but, first and foremost, is a wonderful technician.

"This year I played Jordon Ibe as a No.9, No.10, No.7 and No.11. I'm pretty sure he's going to be a front third of the pitch player, but in terms of development look at someone like Jamie Carragher.

"Jamie was plying his trade as a No.9 for England U15s and a bit further on he ended up as a holding midfield player, then a full-back, then centre-half. So you can be foolish if you just restrict a player to one part of the pitch because you never know.

"There are lots of examples in football where players change positions through their career or get a feeling for a different area and they excel. I'm sure Jordon Ibe is going to be a front third of the pitch player; where he's going to play, I'm not sure.

"But certainly if you give him more opportunity to learn different paths, I would have thought that would increase his chances of playing if he can cover two or three positions."

Since his appointment as first-team manager during the summer of 2012, Brendan Rodgers has integrated his unique philosophy throughout the club. It's a project Inglethorpe understands well.

He continued: "What has been synonymous with Liverpool in the past, and the top teams, is that whatever system is employed the style of play comes through.

"The style of play that is evident at the minute is that you want to have more of the ball than the opposition, but it has got to be purposeful possession.

"It has got to be possession which is directional and not just keeping it for the sake of keeping it. But, in the same breath, not surrendering that and starting to play percentage football."