Inglethorpe: Klopp faith has boosted entire Academy
Jürgen Klopp's show of faith in young players this season has given hope to Liverpool's Academy starlets and staff that their hard work will be rewarded, according to Alex Inglethorpe.
Just 24 hours after his official unveiling as Reds boss back in October, the first-team manager was spotted at Kirkby taking in an U18s fixture - and he has since proved that the visit was not simply a case of keeping up appearances.
Klopp has handed out six senior competitive debuts to players reared in the club's youth setup, with a raft of those coming during the FA Cup third-round tie against Exeter City that was settled by an Anfield replay.
Liverpool return to action in that competition on Saturday when they host West Ham United and, with their fixture list as congested as ever, the boss could turn to a youthful line-up yet again.
Academy director Inglethorpe says the opportunities provided by Klopp already this term have provided a huge boost, and is hopeful that he and his staff can continue to provide players ready for the step up to senior football.
"Jürgen will have his own experiences of working with players and our job is to work to supply the first team with whatever they want and however they want to do it," he told LFCTV's 'The Academy'.
"If Jürgen feels comfortable picking from a squad of players that sit just below the first team then we are also comfortable with that, there's not just one way of doing this.
"The most important thing, which I think is obvious, is that he has a desire to play the young players. What experience they need prior to him picking them is completely up to him but the most important thing is that you have a manager who wants to pick the young players, believes in youth, believes in giving them their chance.
"In a very short space of time we've been very lucky to have as many debuts and opportunities as we have done, so we can only be grateful.
"Not only for those opportunities but grateful because it gives everyone at the Academy hope that there's a pathway there and it's a wonderful club to be at if you're a young player."
Debuts alone aren't enough to sate Inglethorpe's appetite for developing players, however, with the 44-year-old using sustained impact on the first team as a yardstick for success.
"I think the bar has to be a lot higher at the minute," he added.
"We need to judge ourselves on how many times somebody plays 50 games for the first team, 60 games, 100 games and 200 games, and what sort of legacy they're going to leave behind at a club.
"Not just playing one or two and then moving on. The challenge is there for everyone and it's great.
"Jon Flanagan and Jordon Ibe at the minute are both on their way to playing a significant number of games for the first team but their challenge is to stay there and win trophies for the first team."