Liverpool is teaming up with the London School of Business & Finance (LSBF) to launch a new educational institution that will offer courses combining classroom theory and soccer, reports SportBusiness. The collaboration, said to be the first time an English top-flight soccer club and a business school have joined forces, will see the creation of the Education and Learning Initiative Training Entrepreneurs in Sport (E.L.I.T.E.S) institution.

"We're extremely proud to have entered this partnership with Liverpool FC. Both LSBF and the club have put a lot of effort into the development of the programmes, which are unique to the market," said Aaron Etingen, the founder and executive chairman of LSBF.

A Management and Leadership course, which will aim to develop skills such as team building, motivation and strategic management, will be the first E.L.I.T.E.S programme to be launched.

The five-day course, which kicks off at the Liverpool FC Academy in Kirkby in June, will be split equally between time in the classroom with LSBF lecturers and time on the field with Liverpool coaches.

"Football develops many transferable skills, including team work, leadership and management through change," said Billy Hogan (pictured), Liverpool's chief commercial officer.

"The Management and Leadership course offers participants the chance to enhance these skills using football as a tool to learn."

In line with Liverpool's wider plans to grow its brand globally, the course will be rolled out across the world after its initial launch in the UK.

Hogan added: "We are delighted to be part of this groundbreaking venture, using football to educate and help develop life skills. E.L.I.T.E.S is a great way to offer exclusive programmes to people across the globe, enabling participants to benefit from courses in their home countries."