On Wednesday, Brendan Rodgers confirmed Mike Marsh is set to join Liverpool’s first-team coaching set-up.
The 42-year-old will move up to Melwood from his role as U-18s coach after assisting the Reds’ new boss and backroom team over the course of preseason training.
And Rodgers admits he’s keen to have people with close ties to the club and city working alongside him.
“Michael will sign a deal this week,” Rodgers told Liverpoolfc.com. “For me, it is very important to have people with the sort of root of Liverpool in their heart, the soul of the club.
“I’ve come in and I’ve got an understanding of what it is like. I feel I’m from the same bottle of the people of Liverpool and the city, with similar backgrounds. There are no worries about that, and I’ve also got players from Liverpool in the first-team group.
“When I went to Swansea, I went in on my own and promoted a couple of people from there, such as Colin Pascoe to first-team coach. He was a former player there and from the Swansea area. There was also Alan Curtis, who was a player for the club for many years and a Welsh legend. I feel it is important to have people who have the soul of the club and who understand.
“When I looked at the staff when I came in, Marshy was someone who had come in with the U-18s. He was a terrific young player — he walked out of a pub team into Liverpool, which is an absolutely incredible story. His roots are here at the club, his passion is for the club and he’s played for the club. He was here in a period when we were a proper team, a proper club.
“This is a guy who I feel will come in as a first-team coach and Marshy will be able to help myself and Colin to take the group forward. It is great for him and good for his career, and he’ll obviously get to learn how I work.
“He will also help build a bridge between the first team and the academy. It is important for me this bridge is smooth and the young players can come across and progress into the first team.”
Photo via LFCtour.com
