Jan 25 2011, 08:46 PM
Bantering with Stevie, taking tips from Soto and watching the 3-0 win over Wolves alongside Fabio Capello - just some of the highlights of Conor Coady's week with the first-team.
The U18s' skipper was handed the full Melwood treatment by boss, Kenny Dalglish, joining Spanish ace Suso as part of a familiarisation programme for the club's stars of the future.
It proved to be an invaluable experience for the 17-year-old who gave us the lowdown on what he got up to when we caught up with him earlier this week.
Here's his diary of the time he spent behind Melwood's walls.
MONDAY
It was just a normal day to begin with. I arrived at the Academy ready for training and was informed that Kenny Dalglish was coming down to see us.
We all gathered in the Tom Saunders lecture theatre where the boss explained that some of us would be going up to Melwood over the course of the next few weeks to train with the first-team.
It created a real buzz amongst the players and it got even better when he said the names of the two he'd be taking with him.
"Conor and Suso."
I was speechless. You couldn't have wiped the smile off my face even if you'd tried.
The next thing I know, both myself and Suso are getting into Kenny's car along with Frank (McParland).
We couldn't quite believe that either. A lot of people have heard that story since and asked me what kind of driver he is! I just replied by joking, 'Well he's Kenny Dalglish isn't he, he's good at everything!'
When we arrived at Melwood he introduced us to Stevie G. It was a surreal moment for me because Gerrard is my hero. He shook our hands and then told us he was taking us to the first-team changing room.
We were going to be in there a lot over the course of the next week so we got our own lockers. That was a great feeling.
Next up was our first training session.
They had planned an intense workout for the lads who hadn't played in the derby on Sunday and it was tough, I can tell you! But it was just great being involved and to be around the banter.
We did a lot possession work with two v twos, and three v threes before finishing off with a 5-A-side at the end.
I was on the same team as Paul Konchesky, Dani Pacheco, Joe Cole and Ryan Babel. We went up against a side including Gerrard and he was just unstoppable.
I got a firsthand view of just how good our skipper is and it helped hit home what kind of level you have to reach if you want to play for Liverpool's first-team.
TUESDAY
It was a day off for the players based at Melwood so I decided to head back down to the Academy to see the lads.
They were playing an U17 friendly against Shrewsbury and they won 5-0. It was good to see one of the new players, Jason Banton get a game as well as some of our younger players who perhaps haven't been involved as much they would have hoped this season.
I wasn't surprised to look up and see Kenny in attendance either. He's been a big part of what's happened at the Academy over the past year or so and it's great that he still makes time to come and check on what's happening.
WEDNESDAY
After the highs of Monday, I was itching to get back up to Melwood and start training with the first-team again.
We did a lot of possession work that day. We had another game at the end and I played centre back with Sotirios Kyrgiakos.
He talked to me throughout the match and gave some really good advice. He made me feel like I was supposed to be there which helped to settle my nerves.
It was good to see Jamie Carragher involved in training too. He did a lot of fitness work at the start of the sessions and when we moved on to possession drills he would stand on the side, rolling the ball in for us.
Hopefully, he'll be back in action soon as he's a brilliant organiser at the back.
THURSDAY
It was my third day at Melwood but I still felt like a bit of an imposter driving through the gates and parking up in the visitor bays!
It's hard to explain the buzz you feel but if you've grown up supporting this club and wanting to play for them, then you'll have an idea about what I mean.
I'd spent a lot of my time with Suso. We were both experiencing the same thing so I suppose it was only natural.
It didn't go unnoticed though and Sammy Lee joked that he would fine us if he saw us wandering around together again!
So, we made an effort to separate and the Spanish lads, in particular, were really good with Suso.
I started to hang out with the likes of Jonjo Shelvey, Jay Spearing and Danny Wilson who are all around the same age as me. That's not to say I didn't have some great chats with everyone. There is a real camaraderie amongst all of the players. Everyone has a laugh and the banter is great.
FRIDAY
It was my final day at Melwood and I felt a mix of sadness and excitement as I arrived for training.
I had loved every minute of being there and didn't want to leave but at the same time I couldn't wait to join the squad for their trip to Wolverhampton.
It was just a light training session that morning. The coaching staff ran through some tactics with the players before we all got our kit together for the journey down to the Midlands.
The hotel we were staying at was just incredible. There were fans waiting outside as we arrived and it was just fantastic to be there.
I was sharing a room with Suso that night and as we both got into bed we were still trying to take it all in. We couldn't wait for the following day and to experience a Barclays Premier League game from a player's perspective.
SATURDAY
With a 12.45pm kick off it was an early start on Saturday.
We had our breakfast and enjoyed a pre-match walk with the others. On our return, the first-team players were greeted by more fans looking for autographs and to be fair, they were great with them all.
After that, we set off for the game. It was really exciting to arrive at Molineux in the middle of it all and both myself and Suso got to soak up the dressing room atmosphere before kick off too.
We were then led up to the Director's Box where we watched the first half in the company of Fabio Capello!
Fernando Torres got us up and running with a neat finish from Raul Meireles's composed pass and at half-time we were taken downstairs to listen in on the teamtalk before taking in the second half back in the box.
It was a great game and a superb performance from the lads. Raul's goal was out of this world and Nando's second was a great team effort. We thoroughly deserved the win and it was nice to be there to witness Kenny's first triumph since taking over.
It ensured there was a really good atmosphere on the journey home. I was made up for Kenny because he has given the club a real lift.
On a personal note, it was the perfect way to cap a great week.
I've learned a lot over the past seven days but now I've got to work twice as hard to try and make sure that I get back up there at some point in the future.
My next target is to help the U18s continue our winning run when we entertain Sheffield Wednesday on Saturday.
Conor was speaking to Paul Hassall
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Taken from: http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/news/latest-news...s-melwood-diary
not sure if its legal or illegal to copy pasta, but methinks its something good to be shared with everyone, no?
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