Academy'There's a buzz around the place - this game can't come quickly enough'

After a goalless draw with Atletico Madrid in the UEFA Youth League on Wednesday, the U21s head coach and that U19s squad then watched Arne Slot's men clinch a dramatic Champions League win at Anfield.

It was a positive and inspiring evening for the crop from Kirkby, with the elder U21s now preparing for a return to Premier League 2 action when they host Manchester United on Sunday (2pm BST kick-off).

"We are on the back of the Atletico game and also the excitement of the first-team game at Anfield on Wednesday night," Page told Liverpoolfc.com.

"There is a buzz around this place, there really is and the lads are looking at the first team and saying: 'That is what we aspire to be.'"

The clash with United will be shown live on All Red Video and members can watch at video.liverpoolfc.com.

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Ahead of the match, read our full preview as Page spoke about the start of the Youth League, season so far and next outing…

On the U19s' goalless draw with Atletico…

We could have won it, I think we had the most clear-cut chances in the game that at another time might have gone our way. It is a great exposure for the lads, playing against some of the best teams in Europe. You could tell by the way Atletico were celebrating tackles on the halfway line like they scored the winning goal in the 94th minute that it meant a lot to them. It's good to expose our boys to that environment and it's part of their development.

On Trey Nyoni's impressive display as captain…

Trey is an outstanding footballer and character. He is a proper student of the game, he is always asking questions and even when you speak to him about football he talks on another level to what other players his age probably don't do. Trey has got a great chance, he has a great attitude and we will give him the foundations to go on and have a wonderful career, no doubt. While we've got the opportunity to have people like Trey then we are not going to turn that down.

On being pleased with his side's defensive display against Atletico and U18s captain Joe Upton making his European debut as a No.6…

Joe gave everything, he didn't disappoint me at all. He give me everything I expected him to give, we know his quality on the ball and he is a tenacious young lad as well and he won't shy away from physicality, let's put it that way. I was really pleased with him and defensively as a team we had to work hard, and what pleased me more was the last five to 10 minutes naturally they put four or five fresh legs on the pitch and we were under pressure.

They were throwing bodies on the line and Carts [Carter Pinnington] in particular and Wellity [Lucky] were outstanding in blocking shots and trying to help our goalkeeper Bails [Bailey Hall] out, who was very good when he was needed and had to be called upon. He made some great punches and took the pace out of the game for us, so all in all a pleasing start. We face Galatasaray away next and what an experience that promises to be for the lads, with the travel and a home crowd.

On how much he is enjoying life as the U21s head coach…

I'm loving it. The first development job I had was with Wales U21s, which was off the back of being a manager at league level and then going in to Nottingham Forest as assistant coach in the Championship. The time I enjoyed the most, apart from the games and the wins with the national team, the satisfaction you get from watching, I think it was about 15 players I saw come through to the senior team, is just a feeling of pride when you know you have been a part of their development and progress. I still watch out for them now and a few of them are still playing in the Premier League now, which is nice to see. Given the opportunity again to come back in to youth development football, especially at this football club, was a no-brainer and I'm loving every second of it.

On the U21s facilitating the senior team and line-ups changing depending on player availability…

That's the way it is. Alright, you want to pick your best team but our job is to develop individuals for our first team to benefit the football club and that's it. I can't take any credit for Rio [Ngumoha], for example, whatsoever because I've come in pre-season and seeing what he has been doing. The coaches before me deserve a lot of credit and people like Jay [Spearing], who is my assistant, had an influence on him. Rio's development has been exceptional and he is a talent.

The same with Dannsy [Jayden Danns], we've got a plan for him and if we can get him minutes for the U21s then brilliant, but other times he will be with the first team and that is what we are all about. Dannsy is a talent and has got a bright future ahead of him, he has got a great attitude and has a great chance to make it.

On the exciting form of Trent Kone-Doherty, who did not go out on loan before the transfer window closed…

Trent has started well and we have had some great reviews from when he was away on international duty with Ireland. It was his first opportunity to play with the U21s and he took it. That's good for Trent now and it's important when you've been away on international camp that you come back and your bread and butter is playing for this club and playing really well and the international set-up will take care of itself. The message to all of the players who come back from international duty is, whenever they go away on international duty you continue to do what has got you that chance to play international football, and that's playing at your very best level week in, week out.

On the U21s season so far…

I know I've walked into a group of players who have got lots of ability. The biggest job I've got is to try to give them the other tools to compete, not just against U21s teams but in the Vertu Trophy like we did against Burton Albion's first team. If any of the players are called upon to go out on loan then a first-team manager can trust that when they've got a Liverpool U21s player, they do the not-so-pretty side of the game really well first and foremost.

We have got good players here, we know that and they wouldn't be in the building if they weren't, but it's what else they bring to the party and that's going to be my aim, to give them many tools. We've got people like Tommy Pilling and Michael Laffey, they have got that in abundance and they are probably first on the teamsheet at the moment, if I'm honest, because that's the identity of the football club, that's what I want my teams to look like when they go out, they will run into the ground for you and they can play as well.

On working alongside Spearing with the U21s…

He's a character, Jay. If anybody had to look about what it means to play for Liverpool, Jay is a great example. For some of the young players to look up at Jay, he has played for this club, he loves the club and they listen to every word he says. They want to walk in his shoes and play for Liverpool. For me, Jay has great energy and he is passionate about what he does for this football club. It's great for me to have someone alongside me like that.

On Sunday's home game against Manchester United…

It's that game everybody looks for at the start of the season, that rivalry over the years, so it's no different at our level. We will make sure the players are up for it, we will have a plan and will try to play and take the emotions out of it. The players have to know it might not just be about tactics in a game like this and it's about rolling your sleeves up and earning the right to play, winning your battles and doing both sides of your game well. This game can't come quickly enough, we are really looking forward to it and can't wait.