Liverpool U18 coach Steven Gerrard has issued a memo to his budding stars: you have to be world-class to play for the first team.

The 37-year old, who made 710 appearances for the club, is excited to begin his new role and help players develop into senior footballers.

But he has said that is only possible if players are 'world-class' day in, day out.

"There's a lot of talent, a lot of talent, but I've said it before and I'll say it again: to play for Liverpool's first team, you've got to be world-class," the former England international told the club's official website.

"You've got to be world-class every day; the values of our club will never change, so I am not going to come in and try and change any of the values.

"It'll be more of the same, but trying to tell them that every single day you've got to be obsessed to play for Liverpool's first team.

"We've got a job to do and that's to try and push them and get every single bit of effort and determination."