Gary O'Neil: Sorry Portsmouth, I'm not in charge of Liverpool player loans

The Blues favourite has been appointed as assistant coach with the Premier League champions’ under-23s.

It represents his first step into coaching at the age of 37, following a 539-game career which began at Fratton Park.

O’Neil last year contacted Kenny Jackett to ask about the possibility of playing and coaching at Pompey.

Now he’s at Anfield overseeing their latest crop of talented youngsters, although will be unable to send them the Blues’ way.

He told The News: ‘I will definitely not be in charge of loans, that is not part of my remit.

‘I won’t have anything to do with who goes where. My job is to focus on the boys that are in our squad and see if we can help them progress, getting them ready and closer to the first-team should Jurgen Klopp need them.

‘In terms of myself returning to Fratton Park, there was never a detailed conversation. It was me offering to help out at a club that everyone knows I felt part of because I was there for such a long time from such a young age.

‘All the positions were taken when I spoke to people down there, including the Academy.

‘Regardless, I was always welcome to go down and watch sessions and I still know Shaun North, who would have helped me with some experience. But there wasn’t a position.

‘When I spoke to Pompey I was still playing as well, so thought maybe I could help on both fronts.’

O’Neil underwent an Achilles operation at the end of last year, ensuring his final match as a player was for Bolton at Nottingham Forest in May 2019.

He added: ‘I’ve suffered a significant injury that I’m still recovering from.

‘Once I am up and running, the hope is I can also join in with some of the sessions and maybe help coach the lads not only from the sidelines but from within the game as well.

‘I’m still working on my fitness and making sure I can do that.’

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