Kenny praise for Rafa Academy work

Kenny Dalglish has paid tribute to former Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez for his Academy legacy.

Benitez was responsible for bringing Pep Segura, Rodolfo Borrell and Frank McParland to Kirkby three years ago.

The trio have overseen a significant increase in the number of youth internationals being schooled by Liverpool, while players like Jon Flanagan, Raheem Sterling and Jack Robinson have been given first-team chances.

Our U19s reached the semi-finals of the NextGen Series this season and Dalglish is delighted with the work being done by Benitez's appointments.

"I think it's been fantastic and it's a great credit to the changes that Rafa made three years ago, bringing in Pep, Rodolfo and Frankie," the gaffer told LFC TV after helping to welcome 22 new under-8 players to the Academy on Thursday.

"The way it has moved forward is a credit to anyone who has helped in any way, shape or form.

"It was Rafa who brought these people in and we should always be grateful to him for doing that.

"In years to come, if we get some players through it, I'm sure he'll be just as proud as any of the players are. And he should be proud about what he's set up here."

Read this blog published last year on Rafa's Academy legacy>>