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On the day he was confirmed as Liverpool's new under-18s coach, Steven Gerrard criticised "a showboating mentality" in football academies as young players try to emulate Cristiano Ronaldo. Gerrard, who returned to Liverpool in a floating coaching role in February across various age groups, will take up the U18 job in the summer after completing his UEFA A Licence. And he vowed to focus on implementing the physical demands needed to succeed at the top level while purging Ronaldo-esque tricks and skills. "My teams will be physical. I see that we need that more. It is important you channel it in the right way," the former midfielder told multiple English newspapers. "As a player I got many, many tackles wrong and went over the top a few times and I had to come out and apologise and that is not something I want to put into young players at all but you have to prepare them for the top and the top level is physical and demanding. "It is not just about tackles and competing. I hate watching footballers and football when there is no physical side and they don't compete. "There is a showboating mentality throughout academies now and a lot of kids who play the game think they have to do 10 lollipops or Cruyff turns to stand out. We all love a bit of skill and talent but the other side of the game is huge, it is massive. "Too many try to model themselves on players like Ronaldo when you have to look at yourself and say, 'What are my strengths and how can I improve my weaknesses?'" Gerrard said he wanted to make sure Liverpool youngsters are better prepared because "the hard work starts when you get out of the academy." "I think a lot of them are shocked with the step up to Melwood [the first-team training base] from the academy," he said. "I've seen a lot of players who have come out of the academy with huge reputations and go into the Melwood dressing room and then it is sink-or-swim and a lot of them sink. "I have to help these players prepare for careers, not all with Liverpool's first team, but I feel if I can help them compete then it will help their careers depending on what level they get to." The former Liverpool captain's appointment is part of a coaching reshuffle at the club's Kirkby academy. Current U18s boss Neil Critchley will move up to fill the vacant post of U23s manager, replacing Michael Beale, who left in December to become assistant manager at Brazilian side Sao Paulo. Meanwhile, Mike Garrity, who has been managing the U23s on an interim basis since Beale's departure, will form part of Critchley's backroom staff. Critchley has been in charge of the U18s since joining the club from Crewe Alexandra in September 2013. Of Gerrard's new role, Liverpool academy director Alex Inglethorpe said: "Steven has brought invaluable experience and knowledge to us since joining the academy, passing on some fantastic advice and guidance to our younger players. "We both feel now is the perfect time for him to take the next step in his coaching career and manage his own team. The U18 players can undoubtedly only learn from having someone like Steven in charge and we have no doubt that he will prove to be a huge success in the position." Gerrard made 710 appearances for Liverpool and is considered one of the greatest players in the club's history. He called time on his glittering 19-year playing career back in November after a spell with LA Galaxy, and sources told ESPN FC that same month that the former England captain had rejected the chance to manage League One side MK Dons. "I have really enjoyed my time at the academy so far and feel I have learnt a lot from the coaching staff here already," Gerrard said in a statement. "After speaking to Alex, we feel as though it is time for me to step up and manage my own team. "Neil has done a fantastic job with the U18s, so I hope I can continue where he left off, encouraging and nurturing players into the U23s and eventually the first-team setup." Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp recently said Gerrard was "doing a real job at the academy with his presence, being around and giving advice, leading little and bigger sessions." And Gerrard said of his relationship with the German: "I have regular chats with him and he's been the key behind all this. He said to me 'When you come in I want you to shadow for a few months, get all the information, watch how it works.' He has been behind all the decisions."
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