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RODOLFO BORRELL believes Liverpool have the perfect manager to help ensure his exciting crop of youngsters fulfil their potential at Anfield.

It’s been a special week for the Reds’ under-18s coach with four of his side called into the senior squad for the Europa League clash with Sparta Prague in the wake of a stunning 9-0 demolition of Southend in the FA Youth Cup.

Raheem Sterling, Conor Coady, John Flanagan and Jack Robinson played no part in the drab goalless draw in the Czech capital but Borrell says the experience of the trip will greatly boost their development.

Kenny Dalglish has vowed to give youth a chance to shine and Borrell insists his teenagers are benefiting from the fact that the first team boss has an almost encyclopedic knowledge of the personnel at the Academy.

Dalglish spent a lot of time at the Reds’ Kirkby base after returning to the club in his role as an ambassador in July 2009 and has seen Borrell’s players come up the ranks.

The Spaniard believes Dalglish’s expertise coupled with the fact that the youngsters are inspired by the prospect of working with the Kop legend is great news for Liverpool’s future.

“I think we have some really exciting players coming through and I am very proud that some of them were involved in the build-up to the match against Sparta Prague,” he said.

“Everyone is looking to ensure this club has a bright future and giving these players the chance to experience a European occasion on foreign soil is massive.

“There is no better person to do that than Kenny. I don’t think there is another manager in the world that knows the youth set-up of his club better than the gaffer.

“His status as the greatest ever Liverpool player instantly commands respect and is yet another reason why he is the perfect choice to help our youngsters make the step up to first-team level.

“No-one can offer them better advice than Kenny.”

Sterling’s inclusion in the first team squad was the big talking point last week in the wake of his five-goal heroics against Southend but it was the call-up of another teenager which gave Borrell special satisfaction.

Under-18s skipper Coady, who captained England Under-17s to European Championship glory last summer, was the only one of the four youngsters who travelled to Prague to make the bench.

Borrell says the Liverpool-born 17-year-old, who can play in defence or midfield, has the attitude to match his undoubted talent.

“I was very proud to see that Conor Coady was amongst the substitutes,” he added.

“I would be delighted to see any of the players in my squad on the bench but I am especially pleased with Kenny’s decision to select Conor.

“He is our captain and represents the values that a young player must have to play for this club.

“The fact Conor is a local lad will also strike a chord with the fans and there is no doubt in my mind that he can set a good example for the rest of our youngsters.”

The trip to Prague certainly didn’t do Coady or Sterling any harm.

They were both back in action on Saturday for the under-18s against Stoke and they starred in a 4-1 victory. Coady opened the scoring with a stunning volley before Sterling grabbed a brace.

It capped a fairytale half-term week for Sterling who returns to school at Rainhill High today.

The 16-year-old winger, who cost £500,000 from QPR a year ago, is suddenly being talked about as the next big thing.

However, Borrell is determined to keep his feet on the ground and ensure he’s not overburdened by the kind of expectation that has derailed so many promising careers.

“I can understand why everyone is talking about him,” he said. “I cannot hide that he is a very talented player but we must look after him.

“Everyone wants to see this player being successful and to play a long time in our first-team.

“If he is to achieve this then we must help him to improve so he realises his potential. He still has a way to go.”

Borrell’s high-flying side have now notched six successive wins and although Sterling grabbed the headlines against Southend, the former Barcelona youth coach says the team’s success this season is down to a collective effort.

“The simple truth is that every last one of our players contributed to the victory,” he said.

“Fortunately for us, everyone was on their game. But the funny thing about football is that even a 9-0 win can create problems for a coach.

“My toughest job this week has been to manage expectation and keep the lads grounded.

“They must understand that they are part of one of the biggest clubs in the history of football and that they must always remain humble when they achieve an eye-catching result.”

Momentum is growing and with a quarter-final against Manchester United at Anfield to come, there is a growing belief the Reds could lift the FA Youth Cup for a fourth time.

“We are under no illusions that this will be a very tough test for us,” Borrell added.

“We must be on the top of our game if we are to keep our cup dream alive.

“It will be a special occasion for the players and for me as a coach. It is a match that has a lot of history both at first-team level and in the Youth Cup.

“We must keep our eye on the ball and make sure that we go into the clash on the back of some good results in the league. Now is not the time to be complacent.”