Liverpool have drafted in some club legends to help coach their youngsters.

Former Anfield players Robbie Fowler, Steve McManaman and Rob Jones are to assist the Under-21 and Under-18 squads.

Manager Brendan Rodgers said it is important for the academy teams to have people to look up to.

"I wanted to get more former players involved and over the off-season I spoke to a number of them about a possible role here," said the Liverpool boss.

"The three of them have come in recently and I know they have thoroughly enjoyed having that involvement of working with the kids."

Rodgers also wanted recently-retired Jamie Carragher to get involved but the defender opted for a career in TV.

It is a model that has been used by clubs such as Barcelona. Club legends Pep Guardiola, Luis Enrique and Andoni Zubizarreta all returned to take up roles at the Camp Nou.

Bayern Munich is one of the most famous examples of this policy. Franz Beckenbauer, Uli Hoeness and Karl Heinz Rummenigge have or have had important roles within the club. Legendary striker Gerd Muller also works with the reserve team, a role he was offered his by his ex-team-mates to help him in his battle against alcoholism.

David Moyes has brought in Phil Neville as a member of his backroom team at Manchester United, while Ryan Giggs is acting as a player-coach. Arsenal's current assistant manager is ex-defender Steve Bould while Liam Brady has been the academy coach for all of Arsene Wenger's tenure and will retire from the role in 2014.

Ajax' current manager is ex-player Franck De Boer while fellow Academy graduate Dennis Bergkamp is his assistant. Former Ajax and Man United defender Jaap Stam also works as the club's defensive coach.

The likes of Real Madrid and AC Milan have also had a number of ex-players return in coaching and administrative capacities.