FRANK McPARLAND: What does it take to be a Liverpool player? Personality...

[meffin]

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2259129/THE-FOOTBALLERS-FOOTBALL-COLUMN--FRANK-McPARLAND-What-does-Liverpool-player-Personality--We-German-lad-said-Ive-look-wage-slip-I-want-opt-tax-thing.html

The Footballers' Football Columns, MailOnline's new exclusive series, are about the beautiful game, written by people who play it, coach it and run it. Frank McParland is Liverpool’s Director of Academy and Player Development. He is based at their academy in Kirkby, outside Liverpool, and has been with the club for nearly 20 years. McParland liaises with technical director Rodolfo Borrell and reserves coach Alex Inglethorpe as they target new recruits and assess which players are ready to move up through the ranks in the hope of impressing manager Brendan Rodgers...

People often ask what makes a Liverpool player? Talent and ability is the obvious first point of attraction but we want a winning mentality, a strong character. Someone who puts their personality on a game.
Andre Wisdom has personality, Raheem Sterling has it - you know he is on the pitch. We heard about him when he was 14 and on the bench at QPR and even saw him on Soccer AM doing the Skills School, where he was brilliant.
We watched him in the England U15s set up, put the intelligence together and knew he was for us.
We study players from the age of five.
At that age you are looking for someone who stands out in terms of co-ordination, maybe he is very quick or very athletic. We invite mini clubs to come in so it also creates a feelgood factor with strong community spirit. The local clubs feel an affiliation with us.

Five-year-olds often all chase the ball together so we break that up and give them little training exercises. Even at five we are looking to see if they can play with right and left feet.
Some may just be good at every sport they try. Raheem, for example, is also great at table tennis and that can give you an indication.
We'll keep inviting different groups in of five, six, seven and eight-year-olds, inviting some back, and we go through thousands of players. Everton and Manchester United do the same.
If you don't do it then when it comes to the time you can sign a player, at nine, you won't know who the best ones are and they could sign for other clubs.

The manager Brendan Rodgers and I have a regular monthly meeting and we speak three or four times a week.
I always make sure I call him 'the boss'. It sets an example for the lads to follow and it’s something I’ve always done with Roy Evans, Gerard Houllier, Rafa Benitez, Roy Hodgson and Kenny Dalglish.
To be manager of Liverpool Football Club is a massive role with huge responsibility and that should be reflected with respect. He is the boss and that's how players and staff should address him.
The manager gives fantastic support to the young players, that’s evident with who has figured in the first team this season. We've had six academy players involved this season not including Raheem as he was involved last year.
If I want a player the manager and I go over it. He asks how he will fit in, watches a DVD of the player and then if we pursue it will spend an hour with the parents and with the boy.
Young players at Liverpool are treated as one of our family, one of our own. We are their surrogate family if you like and it’s important we educate them, not just in football but in life.
Gone are the days when apprentices were cleaning boots or toilets and baths but there was an important side to those chores.
We make sure our lads visit Alder Hey Children’s Hospital not just at Christmas but monthly. We want them to empathise with the young children there and realise just how lucky they are to have the life they have.
While we there, one of the organisers said that Conor Coady, one of our England U19 internationals, was one of the nicest people they have ever had visit the hospital because of how he helped out, got involved. That gives us a sense of pride that we are doing the right things

We send the lads to the Liverpool Homeless shelters also to help out, not in their tracksuits; in their civvies. We don’t want anyone thinking they are anything other than normal teenagers.
Some of the things we do, your average fan would laugh at. We have to teach the foreign lads how to shop, how to iron a shirt, work a washing machine. We even give them a small car maintenance course so they can change a tyre or spark plug.
We had one funny moment when one of the German lads came in and queried his wage slip. He said: 'Excuse me but I want to opt out of this tax thing. I have looked at may wage slip and they are taking too much money off me!'
We had to point out that was a way of life here, sadly

Generally, we're helping them grow up, train them for life. We don’t just want good footballers we want good, rounded men.
As footballers’ careers improve they have to do less and less in life but if they don’t progress they need to know how to cope in the big wide world.
We are aware of people’s perceptions and the trappings for young players with money.
We always tell them to make sure their first car is a small one and we bring the police in to talk to them about safe driving.
Sadly, we’ve heard of it so many times of kids in cars speeding and getting involved in accidents.
It happens so we have to make sure our lads get the right message.
Phil Roscoe and Clive Cook do an unbelievable job looking after this aspect of their education.
Before last night's NextGen Series game against Inter Milan - which we won 4-1, the lads put in a marvellous performance to go through to the knockout stages - we had a friendly match on Saturday morning at Kirkby between our Under 18s and reserves.
Marc Pelosi, a German-born American left-sided midfield player who has been with us for about a year, and our Hungarian striker Krisztian Adorjan both did well.
Rodolfo Borrell, who is very hands on, myself and Alex Inglethorpe had a discussion and both will play at St Helens on Tuesday.

The NextGen Series has been fantastic for us. The lads experience what it is like to go to the next level.
You are travelling across Europe like the first team do. Spending time at airports, on planes, in hotels, coping with the downtime, playing top European teams such as Sporting Lisbon.
It’s a brilliant learning curve. Even in the games you have different referees and formations to adjust to. For the likes of myself it allowed us to scout one or two players too.
One that was outstanding last year was Joao Texeira at Sporting.
We knew when we saw him he was one for us and when we got the chance to sign him the manager backed me and we spent a considerable sum on him.
The trouble was when we got to the medical his back was in a seriously bad way. We questioned going ahead with it but he was worth the risk.
He was put in a back brace for six months and after some fantastic work by the physios he is starting to play again. He is going to be a top, top player.
The scale of this club was brought home to the players when we went to Singapore prior to Christmas. The support Liverpool has in the Far East is amazing.

[RedReet]

Intersting about Texeira. Explains a lot.

[Tee]

Very interesting read that.

[Fredo]

Has Texeira started playing again?

[RedReet]

I missed the last couple of reserve games before Christmas, but before that he was being eased in gently with a few sub appearances where he looked class.

[RedReet]

Personality?

How did Downing sneak in?

****ing Comolli.

[Tee]

Personality?

How did Downing sneak in?

****ing Comolli.

Maybe it was the girraffe pics?

[pondus]

Good read, really interesting to hear what's going on behind the scenes.

[meffin]

Another good piece in the Mail.

FRANK McPARLAND: The future is bright at Liverpool with players like Jerome Sinclair... but it's also important for them to hear about the history of this great club

It will be a sad day at Anfield this weekend when Jamie Carragher retires. As a player he is one of the most respected. As a role model for our academy players, he is one of the best.

Jamie is one of our own who has come through from a young age and finished his career here. There are not many in the modern game who have done that. Manchester United have had Paul Scholes and Jamie has the same standing at this club. It's fitting that his last game will be at Anfield where he'll get a wonderful send-off.

What's good for us is that his son James is at the academy in Kirkby. Phil Carragher, Jamie's dad, is a regular there supporting his grandson and Jamie is there when playing commitments allow. James is with our Under 10s.

He's not settled into a position yet. He's only young and plays all over the place.
Jamie has always been a terrific representative of the first team and the club. If we need any help with anything at the academy, whether it's speaking to players or parents, Jamie has done anything we have asked him to do. He's been exceptional for us. We'll still see him as I know he enjoys coming up to watch all the games.

There could be some interesting conversations and tales from Memory Lane though as another former player, Salif Diao, will also be up at Kirkby regularly as his son has just signed for our Under Nines so there will be plenty of advice coming from the sidelines.
Another young player on the right path at the moment is Jerome Sinclair. He had a great experience the other night when he picked up the Ian Frodsham Young Player of the Year award from the Liverpool Supporters' Club at Anfield.

It's been a big year for Jerome moving to the club from West Bromwich Albion and making his senior debut against them to become the club's youngest ever player at 16 years and six days.
The supporters branch was surprised that he requested 10 tickets for the event but it was because all of his family came up from the Midlands while his headmaster from Rainhill High, the school where we place a number of our lads, also came along.
It was a proud moment for him, the staff and the other five lads we took along from the academy.

Jerome has been training regularly with the first team but we decided to take him out of the action for four or five weeks recently because we felt he had done a little too much and we want him to come back bigger and stronger next season.

It's amazing to think he is still on schoolboy registration forms because he is coming along well. Even in the FA Youth Cup side that faced Chelsea, a lot of our players were a year younger or more than those at Chelsea. Eight of the lads had food poisoning before the semi final second leg at Stamford Bridge, Jack Dunn was particularly ill, but they still managed to give a good account of themselves.

The highlight of the supporters' club evening for me though was when Phil Neal was presented with an award. When they reeled off all the trophies Phil had won in 11 years, eight First Division titles, four League Cups, five FA Charity Shields, four European Cups, one UEFA Cup and one UEFA Super Cup, the lads were in awe but they couldn't believe their ears when the announcer read out Phil's record of 417 consecutive games. Apparently he missed one then made another 127 in a row.

I think the lads thought that was his overall total at first but it's an incredible figure when you think about it - especially as it was over an eight-year period. It's a record that will never be broken. The lads couldn't take it in but it was important for them to hear about the history and the standards expected of becoming a Liverpool player. Phil Neal represents the success you can achieve if you dedicate yourself to the game.
This time of year is always pivotal for shaping how the academy moves forward at both ends of the scale.

The eight-year-olds who we have brought into our academy were all invited along to an induction evening at Anfield and it was a wonderful night.

Liverpool FC TV were filming as they plan a programme about it and the beauty of it is that it's mainly local people so mum, dad, grandad and grandma come along and often they are more proud and excited than their kids are.
The manager Brendan Rodgers was there and his presence is very important in making the families feel the club is taking the care and development of their children seriously. He spoke well as he outlined a career path and how strongly he believes in producing local players to play for Liverpool. He was absolutely fantastic talking to them for a couple of hours and getting his photograph taken with whoever wanted one.
It makes everyone feel part of a Liverpool family.

It's similar to going to a new school. We have everyone from the scouting department, the education department, the technical director Rodolfo Borrell, who was Lionel Messi's first coach. It's a chance for the children and parents to know who they will be dealing with over the years.

People still ask what do we see in players at Under Eights but we do get good little footballers. We pick some of those and those who may just be good athletes and see how they develop.They play one game a week for us and train three times. The training is structured so that they learn the rudiments of football; passing with both feet, running with the ball, all different disciplines.

Sure, no-one knows at that age if they'll play in the first team but you can assess how they play, their attitude and physical side. Again, we look at the parents. Maybe if he's a goalkeeper you look how big mum and dad are but we've all seen the kid with little parents who ends up 6ft 5in tall. You never know what you're going to get. It's all about nurturing and developing their talent and love for the game.
Of course the down side to the job and hardest bit of all is telling players that they do not have a career at the club.

The harsh truth is everyone that joins Liverpool leaves Liverpool, whether you are staff or a player.

It is of paramount importance the way we deal with someone who is leaving the club. You have to do it with dignity and sensitivity.

If we can help them get another club we always do; in fact most lads now normally get another club. If they need to go on trial while still under contract to us that's not a problem and sometimes, if they fail to find a club in England, we are able to help them get a scholarship in America.
The education and welfare department has a massive part to play in when a player leaves. It's important they feel comfortable enough to come back and ask for help if things don't work out and that we are happy to see them.
The process is not as blunt as at some clubs, which helps.

We talk to the players on a daily basis, assessing their path and chances of progress, so they know for some time if it is unlikely they will be offered a new deal.

I would be really disappointed if it was a massive surprise to anyone to be released because of the process we have put in place.
You love the kids, you really do because you are with them for so long and I believe that constant and gradual assessment lets them down gently and makes them realistic about where we believe they are at.

Hopefully, we don't get too many wrong and I think we do it quite well.
The level has gone up at Liverpool's academy and the evidence is that the manager has been happy when those that join the first team for training have shown the right attitude and technical ability.
The Hillsborough memorial service was particularly poignant this year because of the breakthrough the families have had in their campaign for justice and it's important all our staff appreciate and understand what the campaign is about.

Phil Roscoe and Clive Cook, who head up our education and welfare department, did a 15-minute presentation to the young players about Hillsborough to explain what it is all about ahead of the players and staff attending the service at Anfield on April 15.
Clive was actually at Hillsborough on that day in 1989 so it has even more resonance with him. We included the ladies team in the talk this year because they also have a lot of foreign players and it's all part of teaching everyone at the club why and how 96 of our fans went to a game and never came back.
Some of the staff are looking a bit fitter lately. Around 25 of them and eight academy players are taking part in the Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge in aid of the Stephen Packer Appeal for Alder Hey Children's Hospital.
Stephen, or Stevie as he was known, was one of our talented Under Nines who sadly passed away last November after a battle with cancer. Stevie's mum, dad and grandparents are looking to join us on one of the three legs.
There is Pen-y-Ghent which is 694 metres, Whernside which is 736m then Ingleborough which is 723m. It's around 24 miles altogether and the idea is to do it in 12 hours. Well, that's the idea.

Some of the staff have been training for it by walking home from the academy. They thought it was a good idea to walk in then forgot the fact they couldn't drive home later!
The best one was Ian Barrigan our head of local recruitment.

Comedian John Bishop took a team to take on the Liverpool academy staff
Ian has been one of the driving forces behind the appeal but he got lost on his way home walking back through Croxteth Country Park with one of our scouts and ended up in a farmer's field where they weren't supposed to be. He ended up being picked up by the police and had to explain why he was there.
You couldn't make it up. It was like an episode of Only Fools and Horses: One of our Scouts is Missing! We may have to follow him in Yorkshire and he can't even find his way home through Liverpool.

Anyway, all the funds raised will go to Alder Hey and we're up for the challenge.
Comedian John Bishop dropped in at the academy for a game the other week. John's a big Liverpool fan and he brought his team, the Willaston All-Stars to play against some of our staff. He had his brother Eddie playing who was a good player with Tranmere and Chester in his day but we still managed to win 5-2.
John was surprisingly good. He's quite a big lad but had a decent touch and Eddie scored a great header but, of course, we were too good for them.

One of our former graduates Steve McMahon also visited in his role working as a TV pundit for Fox Sports in Asia. Steve is Asia's version of Gary Lineker on Match of the Day and he came by to do some interviews with the likes of Jordan Ibe and Ryan McLaughlin and the staff.

Steve was saying that some of the Premier League games can get up to 1billion viewers out there which underlines how popular our game is.
He still looked fit as he took part in training and played with the reserves. There were a few glimpses of the old skill with some of his touches and you could tell he's looked after himself. The only sign of him getting older was when he moaned that the footballs were too hard. I think it's more his legs have gone soft with old age and good living.

[frank the tank]

Never knew Sally Diao's 8 year old son played for LFC Academy.....

Imagine being the coach that gives him the end of year summary review "I've got to say son, I've already seen enough to be able to say that you are already a better player that you're dad. Unfortunately for you though, that says more about how your old fella was a bag of ****e with football boots on....you're cut!!"