Kevin Stewart: A lot of my ability is down to Alex Inglethorpe

The 44-year-old's efforts in what has been a prolific period for the club's youth set-up in terms of first-team debuts was recognised last week when he agreed a new multi-year deal.

Stewart is one of the players who has made the leap from Kirkby to Melwood in the last 12 months - but his ties with Inglethorpe go much further back.

The pair worked together at Tottenham Hotspur prior to the Epsom-born coach moving to Merseyside in 2012 to become the Reds' U21s boss.

And just a month prior to his promotion into his current role in 2014, Inglethorpe made a savvy swoop for his former protege, who had just departed White Hart Lane.

Stewart has since gone on to establish himself as an important member of Jürgen Klopp's senior squad thanks to a breakthrough 2015-16 season, and penned fresh terms of his own just over a week ago.

As such, the No.35 is understandably grateful to the man who has overseen so much of his progress. 

Discussing Inglethorpe's new contract, Stewart told Liverpoolfc.com: "He's been doing really well with the youngsters at the Academy.

"He works closely with everyone from the U23s to tiny kids. A lot of young players have been coming up to Melwood like Ben [Woodburn], Trent [Alexander-Arnold] and Ovie [Ejaria] so the progress from the Academy to here has been very good."

And when asked how important his former coach has been to his personal development, Stewart added: "Extremely. Not even just from here but before that. 

"A lot of what I can do now and how much I've improved from the age of 16/17 is down to Alex."

LFCTV GO: Watch Stewart discuss Inglethorpe's role in his development

The 23-year-old also reflected on the renewal of his own ties with the Reds, lifting the lid on the 'relief' he feels at having been afforded more time to show his qualities.

"I'm just really delighted. It shows that I'm in [the manager's] plans and I'm going to be here long-term, so I've got time to settle in even more and try to establish myself," he added.

"I'm really pleased with the time it gives me. I'd say it's a relief just to know that I'm here and I might have bad times but I've still got time to turn it around. 

"That's the main thing for me, and just knowing that the club want me here is important."