'How Coutinho and co inspire youngsters'
Michael Beale has spoken of the high standards his young players must match if they are to emulate the likes of Philippe Coutinho and thrive in Brendan Rodgers' first team.
Coutinho has been in stunning form for Liverpool throughout the season and has flourished particularly over the last three months, turning in a string of spellbinding displays.
Still only 22, the Brazilian is one of a handful of young stars who have helped fire the Reds into fifth place in the Barclays Premier League table despite a testing start to the campaign.
And while Coutinho and co have delighted Kopites with star turns, they have been serving as an inspiration to the club's Academy starlets, according to U21s boss, Beale.
"If you look at the young players in the Liverpool first team like Coutinho, Emre Can, Raheem Sterling and Lazar Markovic - they are setting a real standard for young players to go on and achieve," Beale told Liverpoolfc.com.
"Our boys are very aware and we are lucky at Liverpool that we have young players in the first team who are doing well and they are always pushing to that next level.
"The next stage for our players is to play in the league against men or to make a real impact at Melwood.
"We are over the moon at how well Ibe has done and how well Sheyi Ojo is doing on loan at Wigan Athletic.
"This U21 team is a launch pad to better things. It's not a team for the players to get too comfortable in and we won't allow them to do that."
Beale's charges face two matches this week starting with tonight's visit to Southampton at their Staplewood training ground, followed by Friday night's clash with West Ham United at Chester FC's Swansway Stadium.
Third placed Liverpool have played two games less than the fourth placed Saints, and the Reds know a victory in the 7pm GMT kick-off would see them take over from Manchester United at the top of the Barclays Premier U21 League.
After impressive back-to-back wins over Chelsea and Everton the young Reds will go into the game with a lot of confidence.
However, Beale knows Southampton will be a tough nut to crack and he is full of admiration for the way they have produced talented players from their Academy over the years - our very own Adam Lallana amongst others.
He added: "Southampton are a good club and they are right up there near the top of the table.
"Like ourselves they are a club that is committed to youth development and in our last two games we have played against similar teams in Chelsea and Everton who are also renowned for producing young talented players.
"These are the games that Liverpool's Academy want to be judged in. Our players want to show that Liverpool has the best young players, and these are fantastic games for youth development."
During the win over Everton last week Harry Wilson enhanced his glowing potential when the Welshman scored a dramatic last-gasp winner with a fantastic finish.
Wilson, who doesn't turn 18 until March 22, has had plenty of plaudits come his way and Beale admits he is pleased with development so far.
He added: "Harry has always been one we have had a keen eye on and he's doing well.
"I think for Harry now he has got to find as many answers as he can when he comes up against bigger and stronger opponents and he plays against men, so that's the next big stepping stone for him and his development.
"Harry is doing well, but he is in a competitive environment. Ibe is only 19 and Raheem is only one year older than Jordon, so we have got some talented players.
"Ryan Kent will be back soon hopefully from injury and he was having a fantastic season. Sergi Canos is having a really good season and Jack Dunn is not going to move out of the way for anybody, so there is a lot of competition for places in the U21 team."