Neal linked with Academy role

Neal, who won eight league championships and four European Cups with Liverpool, was yesterday tipped to succeed the departing Steve Heighway as Academy Director.

Although Rafael Benitez does not want to run the Academy, he does want a greater influence on the way players are recruited and trained. Neal would act as a liason between the Kirkby Academy and Melwood.

Gary MacAllister has also been linked with a return to the club but is said to favour a return to first team coaching rather than youth coaching.