Liverpool's young defensive trio of Joe Gomez, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andy Robertson have received the backing of the club's most decorated player.

Phil Neal won three European Cups, eight league titles, four League Cups, one UEFA Cup, one UEFA Super Cup and five charity shields during his 11-year stint at Anfield.

And the Englishman believes supporters should be buoyed by the young defensive talent at Jurgen Klopp's disposal.

"I love both of them (Alexander-Arnold and Robertson) and I've also told Gomez 'you can achieve just as much as me if not more' and I'll say that to the other kids, Robertson and Alexander-Arnold," said Neal at the launch of Liverpool's official former players' association.

"I would say to them 'I love you to bits' because I see a Phil Neal in all of you.

"A certain Scottish friend who I played with, Alan Hansen, once said you don't win anything with kids - so let's prove him wrong.

"I am saying in reality 'Keep going boys because you are doing excellent with decent people around you'.

"That's what was in the mix for me to win all those trophies consistently over 11 fantastic years I had."