Rodolfo: This trip is for our fans
Liverpool's trip to Northern Ireland for the Milk Cup is not only a tool to aid pre-season training - it's also a perfect way to give something back to the Reds' passionate fanbase in the country, according to academy technical director Rodolfo Borrell.
The Spaniard arrived on Tuesday night to watch the U17s' 3-1 win over Chilean outfit O'Higgins FC.
He was also there to see Mike Garrity's side thrash Newcastle 4-2 on Wednesday night, when hundreds of Liverpool fans defied the teeming rain to come out in full force and show their support.
Borrell was quick to praise them for their unerring support: "It's always great to come to this side of the world.
"We have seen with the first team over in Asia and Australia, the sheer amount of support and the amount of fans we have all over the world. And here in Northern Ireland, we have a great amount of fans supporting our club.
"It's great to see that, wherever we go, the games are full of people with Liverpool shirts and lots of families there to support us. It's a great experience.
"The decision to come here was made almost a year ago and we considered the fans in the area and what the Milk Cup represents for the people of Northern Ireland, when we decided to come.
"There is no pressure on our boys to get to the finals, but they must remember that they are here to represent Liverpool Football Club. And we must remember to represent the club in the best way possible."
Rodolfo knows the Liverpool U17 squad that has travelled to play in the premier section of the competition is without some of its key players.
They journeyed to Northern Ireland without striker Jerome Sinclair, who was all set to join the squad before he picked up a knock in training back home.
Also, six regular members of the set-up have recently joined Alex Inglethorpe's U21 side for their trip abroad - and were thus unable to compete at the Milk Cup.
"Jordon Ibe is training with the first-team squad as well - and he could be playing here in our junior section," explained Borrell. "The day before we left to come here, the U21s were coming back from Ireland, where they played against Hearts and Glentoran.
"They needed players and we decided that six of our squad had to join them. This means we came into this tournament, which is quite strong from a physical point of view, with a young side.
"At U18 level, players are very close to being men and the U17 players are usually boys in the process of becoming men. It can often be a big difference when you're facing opponents whose players are almost all one year older than you.
"But the lads are doing well and this will be a great test and a great experience for them. We hope to keep doing well until the end and we'll see what happens."