O'Neill: Brendan is a top-class coach
Northern Ireland manager Michael O'Neill has backed Brendan Rodgers to be a success at Liverpool – and insisted the Ballymena man has already installed a blueprint for exciting football which can drive the club forward.
O'Neill was on hand to launch the prestigious Milk Cup in Coleraine earlier this week, when 36 Liverpool youngsters arrived to compete against some of the best young sides from across the globe.
He told Liverpoolfc.com: "I know Brendan well - we were friends form a very young age and I'm delighted to see him getting the opportunity at Liverpool.
"I'm sure he's going to achieve big things there. He's a top-class young coach - he's already proven that. He's got Liverpool playing very exciting football.
"Hopefully they can build on the season they had last season."
Liverpool's U17s and U15s will contest the final two games of their tournament later today.
The Reds' older outfit will face Newcastle in the final of the premier NIMC Globe, while Michael Beale's younger squad play Watford in the junior Milk Cup third-place play-off.
For O'Neill, watching the stars of the future make their first steps in front of thousands of passionate fans is what makes the competition so special.
He explained: "I just love coming out here and seeing all the teams and watching the youngsters play.
"I played in the tournament myself as a beaten finalist. I always try and track the names of players who play here and see where their career takes them and the heights some of them have reached is fantastic.
"The tournament has really grown over 31 years and Liverpool has been one of the biggest supporters of it. They bring so much to the tournament.
"For our local players, it's the first opportunity to compete on an international level against top-class opposition. The people here just love it - it's a tournament that continues to grow and develop each year."