When it comes to sharing stories of life at LFC as a young player and latterly as a coach, few can offer an insight quite as engaging as that of LFC International Academy coach Neil Murphy.

Having progressed through the Liverpool youth system as a player himself alongside the likes of Michael Owen and Steven Gerard, and then returned to work at the Academy at the request of Steve Heighway, Neil offers a unique insight in to life at LFC.

He now represents the club in Japan as Head Coach of LFC International Academy Japan, a position he has held for four years. He witnesses first-hand the passion that fans in Asia have for the club, and enjoys passing on the values of The Liverpool Way which he has grown up with.

Life at LFC Academy

Neil joined Liverpool as a player aged just eight years old, spending 12 years at what is now the LFC Academy before leaving to play for Blackpool. Academies as they are today had not yet been established, and so training with the Centre of Excellence was split between local school venues and Melwood initially, and latterly solely at Melwood.

It was a special time to be around Melwood, with the boot room philosophy and young players such as Michael Owen and Steven Gerrard also coming through.

Standards were high on and off the pitch, and players had a clear pathway to the first team if they were working hard enough and impressing the coaching staff, namely Steve Heighway and first team manager Roy Evans.

Neil recalls: “The standard of all the youth players and young professionals was very high, so the competition for places in all teams was very tough.

“Because everybody trained at the same venue, word travelled fast and you knew if you had trained hard enough and impressed during training and matches, then there was always the chance that the first team staff and coaches would be watching or would hear about your form. If that happened, you could be invited to train with the first team.

“One day you could be training with your friends in the youth team and then the next with the first players who you idolised. It was very exciting and nerve wracking at the same time.”

Aside from learning a great deal on the pitch, Neil values the life lessons that would come his way off the pitch as a young player at LFC.

“Most definitely the best thing about growing up within the football club is that the identity and philosophies of The Liverpool Way are ingrained inside you and it becomes a blueprint of how you live your own life.

“The amazing staff at Liverpool, past and present, all endeavour to stamp the club’s beliefs on every child and person they meet, and I have certainly been very lucky to have grown up in a very consistent ‘’boot room’’ environment.

“The likes of Steve Heighway, Dave Shannon and Hughy McCauley all have had a huge influence on me and helped shaped my life since the first day I joined the Academy.”

There are fond memories and recollections of funny pranks played by first teamers during Neil’s time at Melwood. Young players would be rewarded with a Christmas bonus by first teamers whose boots they had cleaned, and there was a real feeling of togetherness.

A standout memory for Neil was the emergence of one particular player who would go on to make quite the impact on the football world.

“One major moment which stood out for me was what I considered to be my opinion of the emergence of Stevie Gerrard.

“With the beginning of another pre-season, a few of us had been rewarded for our efforts in training by being promoted to go and train full-time with the first team, Stevie obviously being one of them.

“Pre-season was always tough. We were all fit lads but running alongside the senior members of the squad and trying to keep up with them every day in training was going to be an extra challenge. But not for Stevie.

“He returned for that pre-season so fit, focused, strong and determined that not only did he leave our little group behind, but he was fitter than most of the senior players too and became the stand out player of that pre-season.

“It wasn’t long after the season had started that he made his first team debut. I know he likes to use the word ‘obsessed’ when he’s talking about becoming successful, and that’s exactly what he was in that first pre-season.”

Neil’s playing career would take him to Blackpool after Liverpool, but as his career progressed, he never lost touch with LFC.

From player to coach

When Neil’s time as a professional footballer came to an end, he still had the hunger and the passion for the game. He wanted to stay in football and so chose to take his coaching badges, a natural progression for many coaches who wish to extend careers in football beyond that of playing.

It was once his playing days at Blackpool had come to an end that coaching really became a main priority.

Neil said: “Throughout my time at Blackpool I kept in touch with Steve Heighway and often sought his advice on football matters, so we always remained in contact.

“Finishing as a professional meant I was looking for a new career and so Steve explained that the Academy was growing and taking on more roles and asked if I would I like to be a part of it.

“This was a great opportunity to start on the coaching ladder at such a huge club and to get back involved with the football club that meant so much to me. The opportunity was too good to be true, so I was honoured to accept and started my second journey with the club as an LFC community coach.”

Now a proud holder of the UEFA B coaching license, and the FA Youth Award badge, Neil is eyeing his UEFA A license as a next step. He’s also now coaching with the LFC International Academy, helping to deliver The Liverpool Way coaching programmes to participants around the world.

LFC has always played a significant part in Neil’s life, and that continues to this day. He’s proud to have followed many other former Liverpool Academy players by moving in to a coaching role with the club, and enjoys working with the LFC International Academy as Head Coach in Japan.

“When you listen to ex-players and managers talk about this football club they always state what a place this is. It’s above the rest of the clubs in the world and I always felt proud and privileged to have represented the club in so many capacities.

“Today, perhaps even more than before, I’m proud to be working for the LFC IA in Japan and bringing this special family club closer to the Asian fans. It helps make them aware of the values of this club, not just on the pitch, but off it too. It shows them the kind of characteristics you need to wear our famous red jersey, or to work within the club in any capacity.

“It also makes me happy to be able to repay the club, in a manner, after it has looked after me and installed all these honest values and beliefs in me for such a long time.”

The LFC International Academy programme

The LFC International Academy is now active in many countries around the world, with professional LFC coaches teaching participants how to play The Liverpool Way. It’s one of the leading programmes of its kind in the world, and Neil is in in doubts as to why.

He said: “This is truly down to the authenticity of our programmes and the fact that we are delivering a real LFC coaching experience for every player.

“All of the coaches holding these overseas positions or coaching on the overseas soccer camps have all had invaluable experience of being taught The Liverpool Way in their coaching careers.

“I think it’s fantastic that the LFC IA department demonstrate their commitment by sending home-grown coaches overseas to give the players a real Liverpool Way experience. All of the staff do a fantastic job and everybody is aware of the high standards this club sets and expects from its employees.”

It is of course the participants of the LFC IA programmes that really see the benefit of the club’s approach, giving them access to high-quality coaching from dedicated coaches that have learned their trade at the Academy in Liverpool. The International Academy also presents young players with the opportunity to represent LFC in their native country, and wear kit with the LFC logo on their chest.

“Not every country in the world has this special opportunity of allowing the children to represent LFC” Neil added.

“So I would advise these young players not to waste a single minute of the opportunity they have been given. Embrace the football club, learn about its glorious past and exciting present. Turn up for every training session with the attitude of wanting to be the best and wanting to become a Liverpool FC player. I believe these players are a step closer to making that dream happen than most other people.”

Find out more about the LFC International Academy around the world, and the upcoming Soccer School at the Academy in Kirkby during October half-term.

LFC International Academy is running its final UK Soccer School of the year at the Academy in Kirkby during October half-term.