Liverpool academy chief Frank McParland has welcomed new U18 coach Neil Critchley.

McParland wrote for Liverpoolfc.com: "He's a very astute and quiet sort of guy, who goes about his business very well. He is very focused on improving the individual players and he's got a proven track record from Crewe. Now he's come to us and we're really looking forward to working with him.

"Neil is one of only 16 in the country to have gained the highest possible qualification in the game after he was handpicked by the FA to take UEFA's first elite badge course.

"It's great that the FA went through a club like Crewe to pick him out and send him on the course. He's done really well to get that.

"I think qualifications are definitely important, but really it's more about how he coaches players and how he gets on with the lads. And I think Neil has a lot of humility and he's a really, really good coach. Mike Garrity will now revert back to his role as assistant manager of the U18s to help Neil."