Liverpool have signed academy chief Inglethorpe to a new long-term contract

Inglethorpe has held the position of academy director for more than a decade, having been promoted in 2014 from his previous role as U21 coach.

In that time he has overseen significant changes to the youth set-up, not least the introduction of a first-year salary of £50,000 per year and a focus on quality over quantity.

With his previous contract set to expire at the end of the current season, Liverpool have decided to tie him down to a new long-term deal.

The AthleticsJames Pearce reports that this comes with the intention to oversee a £20 million redevelopment of the youth facilities at the AXA Training Centre.

Redevelopment of Liverpool’s £20 million academy

Liverpool submitted a planning application for the redevelopment in September and work is expected to be completed in 2028, including:

• A covered dome built over the current main field
• The artificial grass field has been replaced by grass
• A new grandstand for up to 500 spectators
• Further improvements to medical and sports science facilities

Inglethorpe’s role is extensive and this redevelopment can be seen as a sign of his influence on Liverpool since becoming academy director.

During his time in the role there have been a number of success stories at the academy, not least with the progression of players such as Trent Alexander-Arnold, Curtis Jones, Jarell Quansah and Tyler Morton to the first team.

Liverpool have also recruited well from other clubs, especially after new rules came in post-Brexit, denying further under-18 signings from abroad.

That led to a shift in emphasis, with the club looking to bring in the best young talent from clubs in England, Scotland and Ireland, including Trey Nyoni, Rio Ngumoha, Ben Doak, Bobby Clark and Kaide Gordon.

Inglethorpe’s son, 17-year-old striker Finn, has stepped up to the U18 squad this season and has already scored four goals and provided two assists in eight games.

Although the academy director remains, there have been significant changes to Liverpool’s staff in recent months, including new head coaches at U21 and U18 level with the appointments of Rob Page and Simon Wiles.