David Tully raised an interesting point in yesterday’s article about the need for our youngsters to get competitive experience in order to not only aid their progress, but to ensure the transition from reserve team football to the first team is a relatively smooth one. It is common sense really to send them out on loan, although I actually believe that a proposed link up with another club abroad is actually the sensible way to go.

We have been hearing reports this week that the Belgium side Genk is keen to establish a link-up with Liverpool, so not only can our youngsters be given the opportunity of regular first team football, but due to EU Law the Reds will be able to bring in youngsters from Africa and South America and let them develop there until such time that they have relevant experience to be granted a work permit in England. As Genk’s Director General Dirk Degraen proclaimed it is a ‘win-win all round’, providing an agreement can be struck.

It will be a real positive step for Liverpool and it is nice to see the club moving with the times and looking to get the best out of our young talent that has been widely underused in my opinion. It is alright saying that we should splash the cash on Player X & Y but who knows what quality actually exists within our ranks, which if given the opportunity could save us a shed load of cash in the future. It is a long time since another Stevie G and Carra broke through and hopefully this planned partnership with Genk will ensure that we are not waiting another 10 years for the next batch to come through.

Written By Jerome Johnstone