Liverpool academy chief John Owens has revealed a host of new arrivals for the club's junior setup.

Owens told liverpoolfc.tv: "We have lads coming in from Dave Shannon's under-16s' team to start full-time as scholars. They are Steve Irwin, Sean Highdale, Nathan Ecclestone, Joe Kennedy and the goalkeeper Chris Oldfield.

"That is five who have come through the schoolboy ranks. As well as those second years still with us. Then we have a couple of signings. Striker Marvin Pourie and Alex Kacaniklic will both come this summer.

"Signings from overseas is not quite the same as here. Sometimes players are attached to clubs, but when they get to this age (16), they are free to look at offers from clubs around the world. We have been looking at that. Here we would have to put in a bid and go through the compensation process, but that is not the case.

"But that is something we will continue to do and try and blend that with boys from this country."