Reds sign Luton youngster

Liverpool have paid an undisclosed fee for Luton youngster Dave Moli.

Fourteen-year-old forward Moli had been part of the Hatters' under-15 side but will now move with his family to Merseyside, where he will continue his schooling and train at the Reds' academy.

Luton reported another Premier League club to the Football Association for making an illegal approach for the player, but Liverpool's approach through the Blue Square Premier club has been accepted.

Luton's youth development officer Gregg Broughton said: "We never like to lose talented players, but it is important that we do not stand in the way of young players' development."

Liverpool have intensified their search for young players following a restructuring of the reserve and academy set-up, and manager Rafael Benitez is impressed by the changes that have been made.

The Spaniard said: "It is much better now. The players can see the difference and I am sure it will be easier for them to progress.

"It is always important to develop your own players. Local players have passion and desire and I think that is the key if you want to be consistent and stay at the top - you have to produce your own players.

"When you make changes it can take time, but we all have the same plan, everybody is following it and we try to do the same things here at Melwood (the first-team training complex) and at the academy."

Rodolfo Borrell and Jose Segura were just two of several new arrivals at the club's youth complex at Kirkby, and the manager feels the changes are helping drive the academy forward.

He said: "They are doing well, but we didn't bring in just these two coaches. We brought in more people and changed staff. When you talk with agents, or people who are involved with coaching or watching the academy, everyone says it has changed a lot."