Coady: Where I've improved with Blades

The recently turned 21-year-old joined the Blades on an initial six-month loan move last summer but impressed enough at Bramall Lane for the deal to be extended until the end of the campaign.

It was a transfer designed to continue the tenacious Scouser's rapid progress, which included two first-team appearances in 2012-13 and the opportunity to captain his country at the U20 World Cup.

To date, Coady has featured on more than 30 occasions for his temporary side and hit the back of the net in the last round of the FA Cup to help set up a quarter-final tie with Charlton Athletic on Sunday.

He told the official Liverpool FC magazine: "The thing that I've improved the most is receiving the ball off the back four and automatically looking forward.

"When you play at first-team level it's important to look forward at all times. It's easy to pass sideways so working on getting the ball and ensuring my first pass is a positive one has improved my game massively.

"Central midfield is where I've been brought up playing. I like to get on the ball as much as possible. I've played a bit at centre-back for Liverpool, but for United I've always played centre-midfield."

Coady was one of a number of players on the fringes of the Reds' squad to head out on loan last summer, as Suso, Andre Wisdom and several others sought further experience.

The Academy graduate is an advocate of the system which allows youngsters to ply their trade elsewhere for a period, and explained exactly how Brendan Rodgers encouraged the switch.

He continued: "Brendan came to me and said 'Sheffield United are interested, we think it'll be good for you.' I knew it was a massive club and a great place to learn my trade.

"I went in that week and I've played a few games now so I'm made up. It was very easy for me to settle. The lads have been fantastic, a few of them live out Manchester and Preston way so I've been living at home and commuting there. We share lifts so I only really have to drive once a week.

"The night before a game I'll stay in the hotel that's by Bramall Lane. The travelling's not too bad, but it's always better to stay over and make sure you're right for the day after.

"You've only got to look at the players who've been out on loan and gone on to play first-team football.

"There are loads that do it - the likes of Andre Wisdom at Derby, who is absolutely flying at the minute. It's a fantastic move for him and he'll no doubt come back a better player."

A recent revamp of the reserve team landscape in England created competitive divisions for both U18 and U21 teams, providing a higher standard of football around the country.

For Coady, the decision was an overwhelmingly positive one - and he highlighted the streamlined development of another talented midfielder within the Reds' ranks.

"I think you need a year or two in the U21s to bring you on, especially at a club like Liverpool," he said. "The amount of staff they've got there can really help to develop you as a player.

"It's definitely aiding player development. The environment is a lot different. In the reserves you were just playing games, you never really knew what was going on, whereas now you're fighting for your place in a league and it's a tough, competitive one, which is good.

"Look at Jordan Rossiter and how it's brought him on. He's played at that level early and now he's making the bench for the first team. I think all it can do is help.

"I'd had a couple of years in the reserves so it was time for me to get out there, start playing proper football and learn what it's about to go and play in the league."