Liverpool legend Steve Heighway says Bill Shankly would approve of Jurgen Klopp's work at the club.
Heighway, who featured for the Reds 475 times as a player and now works as a consultant at the Kirkby academy, says the current condition of Klopp's Liverpool would be welcomed by Shankly, who led Liverpool to the top flight in 1962 and won three First Division titles, two FA Cups and the UEFA Cup.
Klopp has his team top of the Premier League playing a high-intensity style of football that is pleasing on the eye, while also providing the opportunity for young players to come into the side and prove their worth.
"There is no relationship between football now and from the Bill Shankly days, but that does not mean the people from the past did not leave an indelible mark on the football club," Heighway told the Daily Telegraph.
"There has been enormous change at Liverpool, but when I see what is happening here now -- and what the first team are doing -- I approve. And I think Shanks would approve, too.
"He'd approve of the ethics. He'd approve of the work rate. He'd approve the way the first team is playing. And he'd approve the way we are treating the youngsters. He would like that. He would like that a lot."
Before stepping down as Liverpool's academy director in 2007, Heighway had overseen the development of Steven Gerrard, Jamie Carragher, Michael Owen, Robbie Fowler and Steve McManaman to the first team.
Liverpool are one of a number of clubs to have imposed a basic £40,000-a-year salary cap on their first-year professionals.
Heighway supports the move, saying it is beneficial to not give young players too much money at such an early age, but has doubts about whether other teams will follow suit.
"Anything that keeps a young players feet on the ground is worth pursuing," Heighway added. "Capping wages is part of that. To have that widespread would be fantastic, but you won't get it. What will happen is someone will want to take advantage.
"Someone will be in the ear of a player saying, 'Don't go to Liverpool, you'll only get £40,000 a year. We'll give you £100,000.'
"The problem with football is there is no single organisation that exists solely for the good of the game. All have their own interests above the broader good.
"When organisations take control or get involved where the primary motive is making money, I see dangers. If there were a ruling organisation that did not have its own self-interest many things would be different.
"There could be more uniformity, such as controls on young players' wages or the age players can turn professional.
"There is not just one thing that needs to change, but a sensible cap in the early days of a boy's career is a start. Whatever the industry, you should not be rewarded until you're successful.
"In this game, there is no ladder going up just snakes that can take you down quickly. You are rewarded instantly and too easily so we have to prepare our young people for life when their career ends. We have that responsibility.
"Instead you have a situation where some clubs approach it like they want to conquer the world. All we can do is show we have something so powerful that if Liverpool want you, you go to Liverpool. That comes with reputation and our quality and our identity. If others want a different identity, leave them to it.
"We just have to be more appealing. Only the people we have here can make that happen. Our ideal is to show parents that once they realise what is going on here, they won't want their child to go anywhere else."