Report: Liverpool set to raid FC Porto to boost coaching staff

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The Evening Standard have claimed Liverpool are set to raid FC Porto and bring in Portuguese coach Vitor Matos in a bid to help Liverpool’s youngsters realise their dream and break into the first team.

Liverpool boast a whole host of excellent young stars including Harvey Elliott, Sepp van der Berg, Rhian Brewster and Ki-Jana Hoever, all of whom have made the transition into the first team. Three of those four made their debuts against MK Dons.

Now, Matos will be tasked with adding to that list by assisting the transition from the youth side to integrating youngsters into Liverpool’s first-team training at Melwood. Pep Ljinders had the role before taking the step up to assistant manager.

Matos, 31, has been at Porto since 2011 – other than a two-year spell at Chinese Super League side Shandong Luneng, before returning to Porto in 2018. He has been an assistant of Porto’s B-team since. Talks are progressing, and a move is expected.

TBR’s view – Who will Matos promote to Liverpool’s senior side first?

Liverpool fans will recognise names including left-back Adam Lewis who was one of the stars of Steven Gerrard’s young side before the Reds legend moved to Ibrox. Herbie Kane came on as a substitute against MK Dons.

On the bench for Liverpool against MK Dons were Luis Longstaff and Leighton Clarkson. Those four players are likely to be the next names to make the step up from under-18 side to senior team. Matos will be tasked with smoothing over that path.