'It's an honour to fly with Gerrard and co'
Liverpool's Academy youngsters hope to give another glimpse of their outstanding potential when they face FC Basel in the UEFA Youth League on Wednesday afternoon.
Following an opening-day 4-0 rout over Ludogorets Razgrad, the U19s travelled with the Reds' first-team squad to Switzerland on Tuesday where they held a training session ahead of today's 2pm BST kick-off at Campus FC Basel.
Academy director Alex Inglethorpe believes the experience of sharing the same plane as Steven Gerrard and company, on a European adventure with Liverpool, represents an invaluable opportunity for the club's starlets.
"It's a terrific experience for us and an honour for the Academy to travel to Switzerland with the first team," Inglethorpe told Liverpoolfc.com.
"We already have a fairly extensive international programme in terms of pre-season tournaments and friendly matches, but to go away under the banner of a Champions League youth game makes it that bit more exciting.
"We believe there is a different level to be found sometimes outside of England and the opportunity to really test ourselves against different sides, different types of players, different formations is invaluable.
"We also get to experience a different culture and it's so important for the lads' development."
Reflecting on the opening success over Ludogorets, Inglethorpe said: "I thought we were excellent.
"We were a bit nervous at the start, which I think is normal. But once we found our rhythm, scoring the first goal gave everyone a lot of confidence and the players executed the game plan ever so well."
Hosts FC Basel lost 2-0 to Real Madrid in their opening fixture; however, Inglethorpe insists his players are fully aware of the tough test they will face when they lock horns with the Swiss outfit this afternoon.
"They are a good team," he said. "They are very competitive and they will be strong, both physically and mentally, so it will be a very tough game.
"Playing away from home against an Academy side with a bit more experience, we know it will be a very strong test.
"After the game we also get to watch the first-team play. I think this is a tremendous part of this tournament and it's fantastic for the players to get the chance to watch the first team play in the Champions League."