Rafa: Starlet has bright future

Rafa Benitez believes Nathan Eccleston is one of a crop of young stars who can have a big future at Liverpool.

The 19-year-old signed a new contract this week after making his first-team debut against Arsenal earlier in the season.

Now Benitez is challenging him and other youngsters to work harder than ever at Melwood to force their way into his matchday squad on a regular basis.

The boss told Liverpoolfc.tv: "It is important for us to keep the young players we have now. Eccleston is doing well and he played for the first team against Arsenal and Fulham.

"He is doing well with the reserves. He has quality but the main thing is he keeps working hard because with his talent he can be a player.

"We have some good young players. We are really pleased with Emiliano Insua, Peter Gulacsi, Nabil El Zhar and other players coming from the reserves. Hopefully we'll see more of these players in the future."

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