AcademyU21s preview: 'Everton away, at Goodison Park... what a start to the season'
Rob Page is excited to see his Liverpool U21s squad put pre-season work into practice as their campaign begins with a Merseyside derby.
The young Reds take a short trip to Goodison Park to face Everton in their opening game of the new Premier League 2 term on Friday night (kick-off 7pm BST).
They will do so after a summer that has seen a number of Academy players enjoy opportunities at senior level and a chance to catch the eye of new boss Andoni Iraola.
Liverpoolfc.com caught up with Page, who is embarking on his second year as U21s head coach, to reflect on pre-season and look ahead to 2026-27.
Read the chat below.
On how pleased he has been with the squad's work in pre-season…
Really happy. We have had a split squad with quite a few of the boys going to the USA with the first team. That was a great opportunity for them with the new head coach coming in with eyes on some of these talented players we have got coming through the system. It has been great for us as staff to experience what the new head coach wants, his expectations and to see his work and how he goes about his training. Hopefully we can bring that down to our U21s group.
On how much he is enjoying life as Liverpool U21s head coach after a year in charge…
I have loved it, I absolutely love it here. My first year went really quick actually. We have got incredible staff. Everybody knows Jay [Spearing] and what he was like as a player. I get him to join in the training sessions and the intensity goes to 100 straight away! That is reality and that is how football should be played. We still have Mozzer [Mark Morris] who does a great job as always and there has also been a couple of changes to the U21s staff with a new fitness coach and a new analyst. They are excellent additions so we are looking forward to the season and pre-season has been very good.
On the benefits of the pre-season camp in Slovenia together with the U18s…
That was fantastic and we work very closely with the U18s, which is so important. I said to Alex [Inglethorpe] this was probably one of the best camps I've ever been on. During my time as a coach I've been on many camps with Wales at youth and senior level and this was up there with some of the best ones. Not only because of the U18s and U21s travelling together but just the activities we could do off the pitch as well outside of football. They got to know each other as people not just footballers. One of the things Alex wanted to do when I came in was to get all the age groups closer together, and the U18s and U21s are now all aligned in our thinking and then that transition to the first team will be seamless. I think the training camp definitely helped with that.
On expecting to have a young group for the U21s this season…
It's about opportunity and these young players have earned the right to be here. I'm encouraged by what we have seen so far and we are looking forward to hopefully shaping them to become the future of Liverpool Football Club, or if not, a career in the game. That's part of the job that me and Jay have to do and try to develop them to be professional footballers. Hopefully at our club but if not then a career in league football.
On the mature displays of 18-year-old Mor Talla Ndiaye at centre-half…
Watching that first game in the USA when Mor played alongside Iffy [Ifeanyi Ndukwe], wow! I mean, they are two young centre-backs playing like they have years of experience. Wise heads on young shoulders and I'm really impressed by both of them. Mor is such a humble guy. He really appreciates the opportunity that he has got here. First and foremost he is a really nice fella and I think he is going to be a very good player for Liverpool in years to come.
On Prince Cisse starting his first full year at U21 level after only being converted to a centre-half last season…
You have to remember, 18 months ago Prince was a right winger. It's an unusual transition, there's not that many wingers who transition to playing centre-back, but you look at the profile of him and he is athletic, he is strong and still growing so we have to be patient with him. He is still learning the position and the role of it and we are being patient with him and working every day with him. I think he is getting better day in, day out, and his athleticism is important because of how we want to press. We want to be aggressive in our press and we are asking a lot from our centre-backs because a lot of the time they will be one-v-one on the halfway line. So, he's learning every day with regards to that. I think there are exciting times ahead for him.
On a mini-derby to start the Premier League 2 season…
What a way to start the season! Everton away at Goodison Park, we can't wait for it and we can't wait for the season to start.