Portsmouth favourite Gary O'Neil named as part of Liverpool's coaching set-up

The former Blues midfelder has been named the Premier League champions’ new under-23 assistant coach.

O’Neil joined up with the Reds last week ahead of the news being officially announced this afternoon.

The 37-year-old semi-retired last season after an excellent career which saw him come through the ranks as an exciting prospect at Fratton Park.

O’Neil revealed he enquired about returning to Pompey in a coaching capacity last year, but was told by Kenny Jackett there were no spaces in his set-up.

He’s now landed a fantastic opportunity with the Reds, where there’s a link in the shape of former Pompey analyst Michael Edwards.

Edwards is the power behind the throne at Anfield as sporting director, but the man from Fareham spent five years at Fratton Park before following Harry Redknapp to Spurs in 2008.

O’Neil will work with the club’s under-23 coach Barry Lewtas and can’t wait to make the most of his opportunity.

He told liverpoolfc.com: ‘I'm really excited. I've been desperate to get going.

‘It's been going on for a little while and obviously with the break and the academy having to take an even longer break than the first team, I've had to wait a little while, but now it's finally come around and I'm really excited and can't wait to get going.

‘Barry is great. He has got a wealth of experience of working with the boys. Obviously he's come through a lot of the age groups with the lads as well, so he knows them very well.

‘That will be handy because there's two ways of looking at it: I'm getting to see them with a fresh set of eyes, which can be useful as well, but Barry offers a wealth of experience and obviously I'm new into coaching.

‘I think as a team, me and Barry will work very well and there's some fantastic players to work with. For me to have the opportunity to work with such a talented group of young players at such an early part of my coaching career, I feel very privileged.’

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