'Our boys should mirror first team'
The Liverpool U15 squad who have travelled to this year's Milk Cup are under no pressure to win the tournament – but they are expected to show they can follow the style of football set by Brendan Rodgers and his senior side.
That's the message from coach Michael Beale, who will manage the young Reds as they go in search of silverware in Northern Ireland.
They got off to a flying start on Monday afternoon by beating County Tyrone 2-0 at Scroggy Lane, courtesy of goals from Anas Abdo and Herbie Kane.
Beale told Liverpoolfc.com: "The younger boys who are competing in the junior section have only been back in for 10 or 12 training sessions, so these matches in Northern Ireland are our first pre-season games.
"So it's really important that we play in the right style and that we're seen to be playing the right way.
"If you look at the way the first team are playing with Brendan - playing the ball out from the back, it's really important that we see that in the younger age groups and that the boys are being educated in the same way.
"So they're under no pressure to win the tournament here, but they're under a little pressure to play with the right style and show the Liverpool way."
The Milk Cup is a trophy which is close to Beale's heart - and he's keen for his players to have the same experience he enjoyed when he competed in the tournament back in 1995.
"I've got a long understanding of the Milk Cup. I came here as a player with Charlton Athletic and it was a fantastic experience," he explained. "We stayed in the university locally and I remember driving to Stranraer on a minibus from London and getting the ferry across to Northern Ireland.
"The parade on Sunday brought back a lot of memories for me. It's a fantastic tournament. I came here in 2009 with Chelsea as well as a coach. This is actually my fourth visit.
"I think you see how big Liverpool are in Ireland. It's fantastic - you saw people coming out with their kids and there was one house where five Liverpool shirts were hanging from the windows and then there was a man outside with a Liverpool shirt on and his mate with another Reds shirt on. Just fantastic.
"I think the trip will be good for the boys to really understand what it means to play for Liverpool. This will be their first trip where they really see the fan base being so big.
"They'll also learn how to be away with their friends and how to treat each other. We'll see how they react to different styles they are going to play against and playing in front of crowds - some of the boys are 14.
"It's definitely one of those weeks where the boys are out of their comfort zone and they are very much in the learning zone. It's great for the staff to spend time with them, each individual boy and to find out little bits about them.
"Sometimes, at the academy it can be a rush. They come in after school and they are straight out to train. So this week is invaluable going into the season ahead."