The Liverpool manager has thrown his support behind Greg Dyke’s proposal to introduce a new tier of football in a bid to improve opportunities for young English players

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers has backed Football Association chairman Greg Dyke’s plans to introduce Premier League B-teams into a new fifth tier of English football from the 2016-17 season.

Dyke has recieved huge criticism since announcing various prospoals set out by the England Commission in a bid to boost the number of English players starting in the top flight.

But Rodgers, who has previous experience handling youth teams at Reading and Chelsea, insists it is something he has been long in favour of.

“It’s something that I’ve thought for years that should happen. It’s one I’m a big advocate of,” he told TalkSPORT.

“I’ve worked in development for nearly 15 years and I look at the investment; there’s a huge investment that’s been put into young players in this country, and there’s a huge investment that’s been put into coaching.

“We’re talking 300 odd-million pounds in coaching for young players to come through, and yet we look at the numbers and the stats and they’ll tell you that there’s only over 30 per cent of young [English] players that are getting an opportunity in what is the most competitve league in the world, so we have to find a way to give them the opportunity.

“Because as much as what we’ve done with the schedule of under-21s, it doesn’t bring the competition, the competitve nature, that’s required for you as a manager to assess a young player.

“People will always talk about the tradition of the game here in this country, but one of the things that’s most constant is change and you have to look at ways in which you can be better and giving young players a chance.

“And I think that the B league, however it is formed, is something that’s very important to give young players that competitive football.”

The Italian struck three goals in his last four matches as Gus Poyet’s men completed a remarkable escape from the Premier League relegation battle

Sunderland’s on-loan forward Fabio Borini hopes his form for Gus Poyet’s men will earn him a chance to shine for Liverpool next season.

Borini has scored three goals in his last four matches to help Sunderland to four consecutive Premier League victories – a run which has seen them pull away from the brink of relegation to the safety of 14th place in the table.

And the Italian has hinted he would like the chance to return to Liverpool and help Brendan Rodgers’ side as they prepare themselves for the return of Champions League football next season.

“I have enjoyed every second, not every minute, of it here,” he told reporters. “It has been great from the fans here towards me, the city and everyone in the club.

“The love and friendship that they give me through the season has been incredible.

“Liverpool do need a bigger squad next season because you can’t play four competitions with the same 11 players.

“But it is now down to the Liverpool point of view and their sporting director. It is not down to my words.

“It depends on what Liverpool say. I can’t say. I can say nothing now because anything is possible.”

The Southampton captain has been heavily linked with a move to Anfield in recent days and the Liverpool manager admits he is an admirer of the 25-year-old

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers has revealed his admiration for Southampton midfielder Adam Lallana, describing the England international as a “terrific young player.”

It emerged last month that the Reds, Chelsea, Manchester United and Tottenham were monitoring Lallana with a view to a possible summer move.

Recent days have seen renewed speculation linking the 25-year-old with a move to Anfield and Rodgers admits he is a big fan of the Southampton star.

“Adam is a terrific young player….there is always speculation,” he told reporters.

On Thursday Lallana hinted that he wants to stay at Southampton beyond the summer after accepting the club’s Player of the Year award.

“The club means the world to me,” he said.

“I’ve been here since I was 12 and I want to keep progressing with the club. I just hope we can make strides forward in the summer and just keep going from step-to-step and doing well.

“I’ve got a great relationship with the fans. We’ve been on a journey, and this is the icing on the cake.”