By Paul Gorst,Tom Coleman

Copyright walesonline

Former Wales boss Rob Page says he’s “absolutely loving” his new chapter at Premier League champions Liverpool. The 51-year-old, who led Wales to two major tournaments during his time in charge, including a first World Cup since 1958, took over as under-21s boss at Anfield back in June. Page had previously worked as Wales under-21s boss before his role with the Welsh senior side, but admits he initially had reservations in taking the role. However, he insists he’s enjoying his first few months in the new position, after previously being convinced by Academy director Alex Inglethorpe to make the move. Speaking after the Reds’ U19s beat Galatasaray at Esenler Stadium on Tuesday afternoon, Page told Liverpool Echo : “It’s completely different to what I have been used to but I am absolutely loving it. “We’ve got great staff here, when you work with young players like we’ve seen today, there’s a great energy every day when you come in. It is not just this group, it is the U21s group as well. People like Jay Spearing and the staff I have got there, it is an incredible place to work and I am loving it. “I had a conversation with Alex and came over, had a look around the place and probably didn’t even contemplate it until I had that conversation with Alex. I knew I wanted a project, I didn’t just want to go back into management, I wanted something that made it exciting for me. “And one of the best parts of my coaching career so far was watching the Wales U21s, watching them develop as young players and to be given the opportunity to do that at a club like Liverpool was a no-brainer and I am loving it.” Page had previously spent four years as Wales boss, and will go down as one of the most successful coaches in the history of Welsh football. However, the failure to qualify for Euro 2024, along with an embarrassing draw with Gilbratar and a defeat to Slovakia, saw him leave his post, eventually being succeeded by Craig Bellamy. But Page’s track record for developing young players is still highly-valued by many within the game, and might well have been key to him being handed his current role. Indeed, the view on Merseyside is that Page’s appointment is something of a coup. “Whether it is getting players into the first team at Liverpool or a career in the game, that is the aim,” he added. “And because I have been a club manager, it makes it a bit more real for the players as well. “When I was a club manager, I wasn’t overwhelmed by the U21s league. So for me, it is coming here to Galatasaray, in an environment like this and a pitch like that, it wasn’t all about playing lovely football at the end, we had to dig deep. “And there’s a bit of realism of what they can expect if they go out on loan and play club football because a manager has got to trust his job. “So if they take a player from us the player will give absolutely everything, with and without the ball, so that’s the challenge I’ve got. It’s making sure the players are capable of doing both sides of it for when they are needed to go out on loan.”