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

Michael Beale says that Liverpool’s Academy is now paying for itself and part of that success is down to Jurgen Klopp’s commitment to young players.

Nine graduates from the Academy ranks were handed their debuts last season and even those who don’t have a long-term future at Anfield are now helping to generate substantial funds with the Reds raising almost £25million this summer from the sale of home-grown talents.

Under-23s manager Beale said: “In every position we’re hoping that one of our players can get in the first team and hook one of the senior players out.

“Ryan Kent is trying to get past Philippe Coutinho, Sheyi Ojo is trying to get past Sadio Mane, Ben Woodburn is trying to get past Roberto Firmino – it’s not easy.

“Wijnaldum and Henderson are probably keeping Ovie [Ejaria], Pedro [Chirivella] and Cam Brannagan out of a position but the fact that they’re noticed by the manager and brought into that, means that they’re getting closer every day.”

He added: “Last year when there was ever a moment Jurgen Klopp could play them, he did do and I don’t think they let anybody down.

“What that has done for this Academy – some of our players have gone off for handsome fees – with the money that has come in for five or six of them, we’re also funding ourselves.

“It’s not just take, take, take – the first team may use some of that money.

“Liverpool are starting again becoming known as a club that produces players but we still want ones to stay in our first team and be the mainstay, that’s what everyone wants even though it’s getting harder and harder when you mention the level of the players they’re trying to compete against.

“Coutinho doesn’t look like letting up any time soon while Mane has started the season on fire.”

For several years now there has been a fierce debate within the game as to whether development football adequately prepares young players for the Premier League but a revamp this year will allow more senior professionals to take part in second string fixtures.

The old reserve leagues were switched to an under-21s format in 2012, but that has now been raised to under-23s with four ‘over-age’ players also allowed.

Beale, whose side host their Leicester City counterparts at Prenton Park on Sunday (2pm kick-off) said: “I think the Premier League are probably trying to strengthen their league and each club has got their own take on it.

Video Loading Video Unavailable Click to play Tap to play The video will start in 8 Cancel Play now

“We feel we’re pushing players up to the first team and on to have careers. We’ve seen some move on but for decent fees.

“Others use it slightly differently but what it does mean is that players like Kev Stewart, Mark Grujic and Tiago Ilori are all under-age and we can have four older than them.

“When it comes to home games, we try to work really hard at finding days that suit them.

“If we play the next day it helps them because they were sat on the bench and it hasn’t affected their preparations and they can drop in and play for us. This maybe the case this weekend against Leicester - injury permitting.”

Beale has been particularly impressed with the professionalism shown by some of Liverpool’s established stars who have turned out for his side – including the club’s longest-serving player, Lucas.

He said: “As soon as you put an age limit on a competition there’s an excuse for a senior player dropping down and it’s something that probably went from the game around 10 years ago.

“But the times that Lucas or Andre Wisdom have played for us, the way they organise the players around them is great.

“Someone like Lucas does it when he’s in our first team so you can imagine the effect he has with us.”

Rebuilding the Main Stand at Anfield will ensure more fans than ever get to watch Liverpool home games this season, but Beale is hoping that with a more settled home closer to the city and the prospect of a few more big names turning out, an increasing number of Reds will check out his own charges in the flesh.

He said: “Hopefully more people will come out to watch the lads with us staying at Tranmere, it’s a lovely ground and it’s as close as we could get to the city with a credible stadium.

Video Loading Video Unavailable Click to play Tap to play The video will start in 8 Cancel Play now

“It’s still a small bugbear that we’re probably not getting the crowds at home that we’d like.

“When we go to Chelsea the crowd is 60-40 in our favour and that shows the level of our support.

“It shows there’s a real interest in our young players. It’s a nice chance for kids to get close to the players who will come over and talk to them and see them.

“We were in Denmark and it was nice and crazy at the same time that there was a middle-aged man with Ben Woodburn’s name and number on the back of his shirt.

“He’s a very level-headed boy and we have no problems with him but it shows you how quickly you can go from being under the radar to jumping out.”

Entry to Liverpool U23s v Leicester at Prenton Park on Sunday (2pm) is £4 for adults and £1 for children and concessions.

Members and season ticket holders can gain admission free of charge, simply by bringing their cards on the day.