‘My mate Ben coming on for Coutinho - wow!’
When Jürgen Klopp introduced Ben Woodburn for Philippe Coutinho on the hour mark during Liverpool's 2-1 win over Burnley at Anfield earlier this month, it was a hugely inspiring moment for for one Academy youngster watching on from the stands.
Liam Coyle has recently taken over the captain’s armband at U18 level and dreams of one day playing for his beloved club in front of the Kop.
Only six months previously the midfielder, who turned 17 in December, was playing alongside Woodburn in Neil Critchley’s side.
The Wales U19 international has made seven first-team appearances so far during 2016-17, and Coyle admits he is encouraged by the pathway that Klopp has given to the Kirkby-based youngsters.
"I was sitting in the stand watching the game and I saw the manager was taking Coutinho off and Ben was coming on," Coyle tells Liverpoolfc.com.
"I’m sitting there thinking 'wow, he’s one of my best mates and he’s coming on for the first team!'
"It’s really inspiring. I was playing with Ben and Trent [Alexander-Arnold] every week in the U18s last season and now you see them in the first-team squad every week, and you think one day that could happen to me. I need to keep working hard and be patient."
Coyle has been given several opportunities to train at Melwood under the guidance of first-team development coach Pepijn Lijnders – a man the young Scouser holds massive respect for.
"Pep has been a big influence on me personally," he added.
"When he first came to the club he was our U16 manager and he put me straight into his team, even though I was an U15 player.
"I played at right-back for Pep in a 3-4-3 system which helped me a lot. I felt he always had respect for me because he always encouraged me and told me how hard I worked. He also gave me the captain’s armband when Trent moved up to the U18s and that was a great feeling.
"Since I’ve been at Liverpool I've played all over the park. I have also played at centre-half and on the wings when I was a bit younger, but I haven’t got the pace for that no more!
"I used to stand outside the gates at Melwood as a kid waiting for the players to sign an autograph and now I’m going there to get the opportunity to train. It’s unbelievable really.
"Training with the first team you can see how high the level is. They are so focused, every little detail has to be right and you have to do the same as well."
Regular watchers of the Academy recognise Coyle as a strong and committed midfield player who protects the back four.
During last Saturday’s 3-0 victory over Blackburn Rovers, Coyle showed his qualities with one perfectly-executed tackle particularly catching the eye.
It prevented an almost-certain goal, and Coyle admits it was a moment that for him was as good as celebrating a goal.
"Some people might not look at that like scoring a goal but for me making a tackle and knowing I’ve just stopped a goal there, I’m not a goalscorer myself so that’s my way of scoring a goal!" he said.
"I do like to lead by example. If the team needs to get going then I know I have to make a good tackle or maybe set up an attack with a good pass."