Liverpool U23s coach Neil Critchley has left the club to join Blackpool, the Reds confirmed on Monday morning.
The 41 year-old had been in charge of U23s at Melwood since the summer of 2017 after previously working with the U18s, per Transfermarkt, taking charge of 64 matches for the U23 side. He was of course under the spotlight earlier this season when he took over the ‘first-team’ for a Carabao Cup fixture at Aston Villa, with all of Jurgen Klopp’s senior squad away at the Club World Cup.
Critchley also oversaw the recent FA Cup win against Shrewsbury, in which the Reds fielded their youngest ever starting line-up, and one man who impressed in both fixtures was Pedro Chirivella. The 22 year-old has been good enough in cup competitions this term to tempt fans into giving him a new contract, and he was the first to react to the news of Critchley’s departure on Monday.
Unbelievable professional and one of the nicest people I’ve met in football. All the best Critch! https://t.co/0T6OXcIjXa
— Pedro Chirivella (@pedrochb97) March 2, 2020
Chirivella has played 62 times for Critchley’s U23 side, scoring twice and providing seven assists, while he also grabbed an assist for the senior side in the 2-2 draw against Shrewsbury. The Spaniard’s contract currently expires this summer, so perhaps he could follow the coach to League One Blackpool if the Reds do not offer him a new deal.
Reds fans, are you as sad as Chirivella to see Critchley go? Join the discussion in the comments below!
