Liverpool academy boss Hughie McAuley is pleased with the progress of Finnish teenager Lauri Dalla Valle.

The striker signed his first professional contract with the Reds in September which will keep at the club until June 2011. He has scored 15 goals in 16 appearances for the Under-18s this season, with three of those coming in the FA Youth Cup.

"Dalla Valle is a prolific goalscorer and is doing very well for us," McAuley told Liverpoolfc.tv.

"He is still learning his trade but he has a lot of potential and we believe he could do well."