Picture the setting. It's a warm summer's day at Fulham and you are watching your revamped U18s side get off to a perfect start under new coach Rodolfo Borrell.
You glance across to the adjacent pitch as a blur of pace leaves a clutch of your U16 defenders dazed in its jet stream.
It's enough to seize your interest for the remainder of the encounter and before you know it you are heading back up the M6 excited by the prospect of adding a unique talent to your growing band of starlets.
This was the scenario faced by Academy director Frank McParland as he settled into life as the Kirkby-base Supremo less than 12 months ago.
The young player in question was exciting Portuguese winger, Toni Silva, and in the past year he has shown glimpses of his outstanding potential with a series of scintillating displays for the U16s, U18s and most recently, John McMahon's reserve side.
As we caught up with him for his first interview in English football, he told us what it means to play for Liverpool Football Club.
Hello Toni. Many of our supports have read about your performances on the club's website, but few could claim to know much about you - why don't you start by telling us about your background...
Well, I was born in Guinea-Bissau and lived there for five years before we moved to Portugal. I played for Benfica for a couple of years and then I went to Chelsea for three to four months.
When my contract with Benfica was up my agent said I should go to Fulham on trial instead of Chelsea.
When you go to a big team it's not easy at first and I think Fulham was a better fit for me. I had only been there for one week of training when I played against Liverpool for the U16s.
The game was played on a Saturday and I must have done something right, because the next day my agent said Liverpool wanted to sign me. Frank McParland had been there and watched me play. As you can imagine, I had no problem with that!
How have you found life at Liverpool?
I really like it here. Living in Liverpool is good and it's great to be at such a big club.
I spend a lot of time with Stephen Sama and Michael Ngoo. We go into the city quite a lot and we also like going to the cinema. I'm a big fan of computer games as well, so we play on the Playstation a fair bit too.
Are you a master at FIFA or Pro Evolution?
I'm the best at FIFA! No-one at the Academy is as good as me, I've beaten them all.
We've heard Raheem Sterling is quite good too....
Maybe... I'm better than him though. We played five games in a row once and I won them all. I'm definitely the best at FIFA.
Moving on from computer games...How different is the culture in Liverpool when you compare it to Portugal?
(Laughs). It's very different. The weather back home is very good but it's not so good here! It's always raining and it's cold as well! But I think the food is what I notice most of all. It's probably better in Portugal but I'm starting to like English cooking.
And how have you found the English style of football?
Again, it's very different. In Portugal players rely on technique more. In England the game has technique but the players are physically stronger and it's much faster.
You've already played for the U16s and U18s - how have you found the coaching staff?
Well, I really enjoyed working with Steve Cooper at U16 level and Rodolfo is a great coach too. I have already gained a lot from working with the staff here but I also know I have much more to learn.
Over the course of the summer you also played for the reserves and helped them to win two Senior Cups - what was that experience like?
It was obviously a great experience to play at that level. I was pleased to score in the final against Oldham and help the team win a trophy. It was my first final for Liverpool - hopefully there will be more in the future!
Roy Hodgson has already shown his willingness to give youth a chance. Would it be a realistic aim for you to target a place in a Carling Cup squad?
I think it could be. Just looking at the pre-season, you could see two or three young players such as Raheem (Sterling) and Suso playing in the first-team. It's a great incentive for players in the reserves and the Academy. I'd love to have the chance to play in the Carling Cup or even be on the bench - we will have to see.
Have you got a trademark piece of skill?
I'm a winger so I like to try lots of different skills. In training I always try to nutmeg Stephen Sama! He's my best friend but it's really funny when I 'meg him!
What players did you look up to as you were growing up?
I liked Figo, but he has retired now. Nani, Simao and Quaresma are good too.
And just finally, what are your hopes for the season?
To keep working hard and do well for the U18s. Hopefully I will get some game for the reserves at some point.
Let's hope he has a better LFC career than Nemeth..
