Steve McManaman urges Reds youngsters to 'copy' stars like Mohamed Salah

Steve McManaman has been there and done it, having graduated the Liverpool academy and playing 364 times before becoming a Galactico at Real Madrid and then joining Manchester City - and now he has some advice for the Kop kids thriving in the first team at Anfield.

Jurgen Klopp’s team has been stretched in recent weeks and the German boss has been forced to rely on his prestigious youth academy, with many stars such as Bobby Clark, Jayden Danns and James McConnell - to name just three - all excelling when called upon.

Many youngsters, also including Conor Bradley and Jarell Quansah, have also flourished for the Reds this season and Klopp’s trust in youth has seen dividends as many have shown they can be trusted in decisive moments and big games for the first team.

Now Liverpool legend McManaman, who does work at the club’s academy in an advisory role, says the toughest step will be to prove to a new management team when Klopp leaves that they are good enough to once again step up and cement a place in the club’s long-term future.

‘Keep on working hard and listen to your peers,’ he tells Mail Sport when asked what his main line of advice would be to the young stars. ‘Listen to those in control. Listen to Barry Lewtas (Under 21 manager) and Jay Spearing.

‘Jay (an overage player for the Under 21s who is also the assistant manager) has played this game and will train with them and kick them, he’s had more than 300 games in league football. Of course listen to Jurgen Klopp as well.

‘But it starts again when the new staff come in. You will have to start afresh and impress the new staff. Keep on learning, keep on working hard, ask the first-team players question after question.

‘Copy the first-team players. When you train with them,