'Everyone asks about our Brendan'

First-team boss Brendan Rodgers was born and raised in Ballymena, which is roughly an hour's drive from where the current crop of aspiring Liverpool starlets are staying in Limavady.

Rodgers even played in the Milk Cup as a youngster - and he flew over to complete the draw for this year's competition alongside Academy graduate Raheem Sterling back in April.

"Everyone keeps asking how 'our Brendan' is," Beale told Liverpoolfc.com. "So you can tell how much he is loved in this area. They're very proud of him.

"I know he came for the draw in April and he actually came here and won the tournament in his Chelsea days as a coach, so he's got great memories of this tournament as well.

"He's been a massive support to the Academy because he's always down in midweek watching the games, and his staff - Mike Marsh, John Achterberg and Colin Pascoe - are as well. So the support there is really good."

Beale's U15 side are through to the semi-finals of the junior Milk Cup after winning two and drawing one of their qualifying games.

They will now face County Antrim later tonight, where a win could set up a mouth-watering clash against Everton, who face Watford in the other semi.

"The big message from me is that there's no pressure. Just play with a nice style and in the right manner and let's try to entertain people," said Beale.

"We've spoken about how the lads should treat each other as a group and we're talking about their own personal journey. Knowing what they need to work on, individually. Pushing themselves for pre-season.

"They must always be thinking about where they want to go. So this week we've asked them to try and focus on the bits they know they need to work on and embrace them and go after them.

"So that they come away from the week with a greater understanding of what they want to achieve this season. The big message from me is that there's no pressure. Just play with a nice style and in the right manner and let's try to entertain."