Sean O’Driscoll set to join Liverpool’s coaching staff
England Under-19 manager Sean O'Driscoll is set to join Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers' coaching staff at Anfield. The 57-year-old, who has previously had spells in charge at Nottingham Forest, Doncaster, Bournemouth, Crawley and Bristol City, is being brought in as … Continue reading →

England Under-19 manager Sean O'Driscoll is set to join Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers' coaching staff at Anfield.

The 57-year-old, who has previously had spells in charge at Nottingham Forest, Doncaster, Bournemouth, Crawley and Bristol City, is being brought in as part of the summer overhaul of the backroom team.

Press Association Sport understands O'Driscoll has been offered a role on the coaching staff, although his exact position is yet to be confirmed, and while there are still a number of matters to be finalized the move is likely to happen.

O'Driscoll is understood to have found it a difficult decision to leave the international set-up, where he has been since last September, but felt working alongside Rodgers presented a huge opportunity he could not turn down.

Liverpool sacked assistant manager Colin Pascoe earlier this month and did not renew the contract of first-team coach and former player Mike Marsh as a result of a robust end-of-season review which examined why the Reds failed to retain their Champions League status in finishing sixth.

O'Driscoll has a good relationship with Rodgers, having visited the club's Melwood training ground to observe some of his coaching sessions, and shares a similar philosophy to the Reds boss.

Liverpool are also expected to promote highly-rated academy coach Pepijn Lijnders from the under-16s team before the start of pre-season next week.

Most of the players return to Melwood on Monday, with the exception of those who were involved in the later stages of the Under-21 European Championships and Copa America, with a number of signings seeing their team-mates for the first time.

Charlton teenager Joe Gomez is one of the six summer arrivals and he is keen to begin working with Rodgers, although it seems likely he will be loaned out for the forthcoming campaign.

“I met him and that was a defining factor. He was positive and has already shown he will give young players an opportunity,” he told liverpoolfc.com.

“I thought carefully where would be the best place and give me the best chance to play – it was Liverpool.

“I can understand Charlton fans wanting me to stay another year – that it would be best for me to develop – but I'm ambitious and want to keep learning. Going to Liverpool was hard to turn down.

“I had my mind set on Liverpool and tried not to let the talk of other clubs distract me. I didn't really focus too much on anything else.

“I understand it is a massive club and a step up from where I've been playing.

“There are a lot more challenges but I'm going in with the aim to challenge for a place, regardless of age.

“I want to prove myself, take this opportunity with both hands and try to play.

“There is going to be a bigger spotlight but I've got to thrive under that and use it in a positive way.”