NewsAcademy column: How Virgil van Dijk and Steven Gerrard inspired Liverpool's U13s

We had another brilliant trip to the Netherlands, where our U13s took part in the second Virgil's Legacy Trophy.

We managed to win the first one organised by Virgil last year and we reached the semi-final this year when we narrowly lost to Barcelona.

It was a truly fantastic experience and we cannot thank Virgil enough for what he has done for the Academy. Not only is he our captain but he is a true inspiration to the younger generation.

He wanted to put something back into the game – alongside his former youth club Willem II, where he started playing – and the tournament in Tilburg did just that.

It was an absolute honour for us to be invited along with the other teams Virgil has represented before, and we know the impact and amount of time he will have put in to set up this tournament.

We had another Anfield icon with us as a special guest in former Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard.

Stevie was fantastic with the boys and he spoke so passionately and they listened so carefully. It really was so humbling to see.

The passion Virgil has to inspire these young people is absolutely brilliant and, as the tournament name says, it leaves a legacy, and that was really powerful and evident over the weekend.

Virgil spoke to all of the teams, he took time out to have photographs with everyone and explained to the lads just how much they should have fun and enjoy the tournament. He also said to take on all the experience they can get.

Once we were invited again, first and foremost, I wanted our boys to understand the amount of effort that Virgil had put into this tournament, alongside our great friends and organisers Orange Veins.

It was just a great experience and what I'm really proud of is the way all of the lads handled themselves throughout the tournament. They really did manage the matches and the environment that they were in.

There were a lot of really good teams and really good players that we were up against, and the players enjoyed and expressed themselves. But the way they conducted themselves on and off the pitch was something that we as a football club can be really proud of.

Whether you win or lose, it's all about taking on these experiences. We spoke to the players from day one about creating memories and things you will take forward with you – whether you have a career in football or not.

In one of our group games we played AC Milan and we wanted to pay a tribute to one of their very best – Franco Baresi.

Baresi died at the age of 66 in July, having been widely considered one of football's greatest players. He won six league titles and three European Cups during a 20-year career at Milan – his only club.

The defender captained I Rossoneri for 15 seasons and made more than 700 appearances, leading to the Milan No.6 jersey being retired when he hung up his boots.

He was also a member of Italy's 1982 World Cup-winning squad and appeared in the 1994 final that they lost to Brazil.

We presented the opposition with an LFC shirt in Baresi's honour and on the back was printed 'Per Sempre Baresi – 6 – YNWA'. Stevie also joined us in our mark of respect.

It was an incredibly humbling experience and I know that everybody – staff included – will remember the Virgil's Legacy Trophy forever.

Mike Yates was speaking to Liverpoolfc.com's Steve Hunter