'We're starting the new season with a baptism of fire!'

After the curtailment of the 2019-20 Academy campaign due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the young Reds haven’t played competitively since March 24.

Now, with Barry Lewtas making the seamless transition from the U18s to become the new U23s manager, a new era begins at Kirkby.

And it starts with the small matter of a mini-derby.

Lewtas’ charges welcome Everton to the Academy in their first fixture of the 2020-21 season today – a game you can watch live on LFCTV and LFCTV GO from 12.50pm BST, with kick-off set for 1pm.

Ahead of the behind-closed-doors clash, we caught up with Lewtas to discuss his new role, the intensity of every derby match and more...

On an encouraging pre-season…

It was 177 days between games and we had to get the players back in and accustom them to training they were used to before the pandemic. The games that we organised were certainly challenging in terms of the opposition and they were all good at the right times as well. I’m pleased from an organisational point of view and the way the boys approached it was first class if I’m being honest. Obviously I’m starting this new role myself, so I couldn’t have asked for a better set of lads to work with in the set of circumstances that we have all been placed in.

On a new start at the Academy by taking charge of the U23s…

It’s an exciting challenge. I loved my time with the U18s and then circumstances changed. Critch left and there was an opportunity. I was asked to step in and I’m extremely excited. At the moment at the Academy we have a number of boys who have done well and in the U23s group we’ve got there are a number of boys I worked with previously, so I’m really excited for the season to start. The last six weeks of pre-season have been extremely enjoyable, tough as well, hard work. But we can’t wait to get going now.

On the addition of Gary O’Neil as assistant coach…

It’s great to have Gary with us and he has settled in really well. He adds his experience to the mix in terms of his playing career and he can have massive value – not only to the players but also to the staff as well. I must admit, the support staff we have with the U23s, who worked with Critch for a number of years, have been absolutely fantastic as well. We have Jack Ade, Mozzer [Mark Morris], Paul Kelly and Scott McAuley, the physios, and Speo [Dan Spearritt, U23s analyst] as well. They have been a great support to me as well. We have a really strong staff and they will all be important for me as we go through the season.

On Sunday’s Premier League 2 opener against Everton at the Kirkby Academy…

A baptism of fire! I’ve been at the club a long time now and even at U12 level the derby games were always one of, if not the, toughest games on the calendar. I understand at U23 level that will be the same but that’s what we want. We want to be playing against the best opposition, the best players and we want to be challenging ourselves at that level. To start the season with a bang if you like, it’s something we are certainly looking forward to. When the lads found out it was Everton for our first game, they were really excited. It will be a tough game but a great one to get going with.

On managing Liverpool U18s in some exciting derby games previously…

I think back to my first one as U18s coach when we won 4-3 with a last-minute winner in front of the Kirkby lights. All the games have been tough and this one will certainly be no different. Over the years Everton at Premier League 2 level under David Unsworth have been really strong. We aren’t expecting anything less on Sunday.

On his hopes and aspirations for 2020-21…

First and foremost, the boys have missed so much game time at such a young age because of the pandemic. We were cautious not to call it time wasted because we were able to do certain things with the boys away from the Academy, so it wasn’t wasted. But from a boys’ point of view, they weren’t playing football – which they love. So first and foremost, it’s to get the boys back playing, which we’ve done. The next step is that level of competition week-to-week and the demands of what competition brings. The hopes and expectations for me will be the same as it was at U18s level. My hope is the boys develop and they improve and then are ready to take that next step. Whether that is a step towards Melwood or the next step of their journey on loan, whatever it is, that’s always going to be the focus here. I’m extremely excited to see what the season can bring.

On FA Youth Cup winner Neco Williams netting a priceless goal for Wales last weekend…

People ask me a lot of questions about Curtis and Neco, but one thing I will say is I don’t think I ever did back-post heading with Neco! That is certainly credit to him. It’s great to see the progress he has made from the U18s and U23s to getting a chance with the first team. The exposure that the manager has afforded him at Melwood has been fantastic for him and the Academy. Obviously what’s come with that is the international call-up for Wales. To score a goal and to score the winning goal was fantastic for him. I know he is a proud Welshman. I watched the game and when he put the ball in the net I was so over the moon for him.

On the progress of Billy Koumetio, who played for Lewtas at U18 level last season…

Billy is brilliant. I’ve said publicly, personality-wise he has a fantastic character. He is a real credit to his parents, he is great to work with and is great company. Again, as an Academy we are working with the Premier League and world champions, but there are still opportunities for the boys to move up with the first team. What an unbelievable time for the first team in terms of the success but also in terms of we have got a manager who looks at the Academy and gives these players opportunities. It’s not really for me to comment too much on how Billy has done, but from an outsider looking in I’m sure he will be pleased and I’ve been pleased with what he’s done so far. It’s up to Billy to continue and listen and learn. It’s been great for him.