'Andre is destined for great things'
Conor Coady believes Andre Wisdom has all the raw tools to achieve 'great things' as a Liverpool player.
Wisdom has become a consistent starter under Brendan Rodgers since making his full Barclays Premier League debut against Norwich at Carrow Road in September.
The powerful right-back has been in exemplary form for the first team, demonstrating composure on the ball as well as a readiness to stand up to the challenge of experienced opposition as was more than evident on Sunday, when he slotted into the centre-back role against Chelsea.
And Coady, who is keen to follow in Wisdom's footsteps and force his way into the manager's plans, is convinced the man from Yorkshire is destined for big things at Anfield.
"He's a top lad and a fantastic player," he said. "I think he will achieve great things for Liverpool. He has come into the side and looked solid, just as he did last year with the U18s. He's a fantastic player and I think he will achieve great things.
"Seeing the likes of him and Raheem in the first team drives everyone here at the Academy on. It makes the lads think, 'I want to get my chance now' and when they look at players like that, it gives them great motivation.
"The lads who have gone over to Melwood are definitely keeping their feet on the ground. They know their place. Andre has got a good head on his shoulders, as has Raheem, so when they come back over to the Academy to see the boys, they are always fantastic.
"All the boys here now feel that if they keep their heads down and work hard, then their chance may come, so it's fantastic that the manager is giving younger lads opportunities."
Rodgers has been keen to give youth a chance to shine throughout his tenure as Anfield boss so far and Coady believes his decision to do so has created a positive atmosphere around the Academy.
However, the local lad insists the seamless transition from Kirkby to Melwood currently being made by several young Reds would not be achievable but for the influence of the Academy coaches.
"It's mainly down to all the hard work of the staff and the effort that they have put in that the boys are getting their opportunities," he said. "The coaches here are fantastic.
"We play a similar style all the way through the Academy to the one the first-team manager wants. The coaches here, like Rodolfo Borrell and Frank McParland, are great and they help us every day.
"You have to have a manager of the first team, who is willing to put the confidence in you and take the risk to put you in. But all the boys coming through have fantastic ability and that's due to the coaches at the Academy and what they do here.
"And as you can see from the Academy games this season, there is plenty of great young talent ready to come through the ranks here at Liverpool at the minute, so hopefully it's just a matter of time for them."