Vitor Matos has been hailed as Liverpool's “best signing this season” as his importance as Liverpool's new elite development coach was explained.
Matos officially joined the Reds at the start of the month from Porto, where he was assistant coach of the B team team features in Portugal's second tier.
The 31-year-old has assumed the role as the link between the Academy and the first-team squad at Melwood that was previously occupied by Liverpool assistant manager Pep Lijnders.
Read every word Pep Lijnders had to say in his press conference HERE
And Lijnders, who had earlier worked with Matos at Porto, has outlined the key impact the new arrival is already making in helping youngsters progress.
“For me, he is our best signing this season,” said the Dutchman.
“He is a talented coach, a very intelligent coach. He can make the next step with all these young players. We have already seen the impact he has made on them.
“Having one really intelligent, talented coach for young players, he can inspire eight or nine of them – it's really important to have the right people in front of them – he connects, he influences the boys on the pitch and trains with them.”
Liverpool will once again call on a host of Academy talent in the League Cup when they entertain Arsenal in the fourth round on Wednesday.
And Lijnders has revealed the other role Matos has assumed.
“He connects departments,” said the assistant boss. “He connects our Academy, Alex (Inglethorpe) and Critch (Neil Critchley), with each other.
“He connects me and Jurgen, of course. He connects (loan pathways and football partnerships manager) Julian Ward and (sporting director) Michael Edwards. He's basically the connector of these three parts of the club.
“He is good. We are really happy he is here.”
