Lijnders: My aim as first-team development coach
The matchday programme for Liverpool's Barclays Premier League meeting with Norwich City on Sunday includes a fascinating interview with new first-team development coach Pepijn Lijnders.
The Dutchman, who previously worked at PSV Eindhoven and FC Porto, was brought into the senior fold over the course of the summer after impressing at the Academy.
And in a wide-ranging interview, he enthuses about the importance of loving the game, saying: "The starting point of development is the passion and ambition of a player.
"What I’ve learned over the years is that there is one factor that decides 99 per cent of development: love for the game. Passion is vital. If you don’t love it, you will never work hard and play enough to become really great."
Pep also discusses how the coaching staff work with individuals to integrate their talents into the collective team framework, and why a 'Talent Group' has been introduced to form a bridge between the Academy and Melwood.
Alongside a chat with Lijnders, the Norwich programme features exclusive columns from manager Brendan Rodgers and skipper Jordan Henderson, plus revealing interviews with long-serving midfielder Lucas and 80s idol Paul Walsh.
There is also intelligent analysis of the opposition, comprehensive stats coverage of the Reds first team, and updates from the Academy and Ladies. The big match, the bigger picture!
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