Brendan Rodgers is hoping Liverpool FC's new backroom appointments will help channel the club into a new direction as they look to better the dreadful 2014-15 campaign.

Fenway Sport Group's end-of-season review concluded that the Northern Irishman would remain in the job, but that a shake-up behind the scenes was necessary.

Rodgers' close friends assistant manager Colin Pascoe and first-team coach Mike Marsh were therefore let go, but despite the risk, the Reds boss was given the chance to recommend their replacements.

As a result, England under-19s manager Sean O'Driscoll - who Rodgers spoke highly of last year, was brought in to replace Pascoe, whilst highly-rated Liverpool under-16s  Pepijn Lijnders was promoted to a first-team role.

The 42-year-old knows he needs the pair to help produce instant results, with his future in the Anfield job depending on how the side do in this coming season, but was confident O'Driscoll and Lijnders can do just that.

"I've made these appointments because I want to take us in a new technical direction, in terms of coaching," stated the Liverpool manager.

"I believe that the entire first-team set-up will benefit and I'm extremely positive and excited about what we can achieve as a group going forward."

Rodgers excited to add O'Driscoll to his coaching team

O'Driscoll, whose initial links with the vacant role provoked panic on social media networks due to being sacked at his last two clubs, is highly-thought of as a coach - due to his purist approach. 

Having spent time as manager of Bournemouth, Doncaster Rovers, Nottingham Forest and Bristol City, O'Driscoll is thought to have enough nous and experience to excel in his role, according to Rodgers.

"My admiration for Sean [O'Driscoll], as a professional, is well documented," he insisted.

"He's someone with a clear vision and philosophy, and he has proved he has the ability to transfer that knowledge, through his coaching, to the players.

"I'm looking forward to working with him, learning from his experiences and gaining valuable knowledge from his expertise."

Lijnders to take his highly-rated views from Kirkby to Melwood 

Lijnders, meanwhile, was poached from Porto last summer and his capture was seen as quite the coup for Liverpool. His views have impressed in the Academy, meaning he was one of the first names on the list for a first-team role.

The Dutchman has worked through the ranks with Porto and PSV Eindhoven before moving to Merseyside, and his reputation with developing young players sees him expected to become a top coach in the future.

"This presents a fantastic opportunity for Pep and one I know he will grasp with both hands," Rodgers added.

"He's excelled in the Academy and I believe this is the perfect time for him to make the step up to the first-team set-up. Here we can use his talents for the benefit of the senior squad.

"Pep displays a passion and enthusiasm for his profession that is truly infectious. I believe that will have a positive impact."

Duo thrilled to take on new challenge 

O'Driscoll, who left his FA role with England U19s to take up his new job at Liverpool, spoke of his excitement to be joining a club he called one of world's "most iconic."

"The hallmark of any successful club is its culture. That comes from the people who work there, from the chief executive and first-team manager to those people behind the scenes whose faces may not be known or seen, but who are the lifeblood of the club," he stated.

"From the moment I drove into Melwood last week, greeted by Kenny the gateman, I couldn't have been made to feel more welcome.

"If you're going to have any level of success, these people are equally as crucial as the players. From my experiences so far it is clear everyone wants to help this club succeed."

Lijnders, meanwhile, hailed Rodgers' coaching techniques and his tactical approach after he admitted the pride and honour he felt at being given the role. 

"I could not think of a better attacking manager to assist," Lijnders insisted. "My main goal is assisting Brendan to implement a development programme.

"A programme that will non-stop stimulate the offensive individual capacities of each first-team player, but also one which helps give young talent the chance to develop to meet first-team standards.

"Everybody knows how I feel about representing this amazing club. The owners have a clear, strong philosophy which is based on developing top young players into elite players.

"I want to thank them for giving me this opportunity."

Adding more on Rodgers' particular approach, Dutch coach Lijnders continued: "The first-team want to have players who are able to open up games and speed up the attack.

"We're working on a daily basis, individually and collectively, on those offensive, productive, creative and attractive qualities.

"With guts, courage, faith and a great heart, we are looking for fast individual and collective actions to get behind the defensive line."

The pair started work in their new roles on Monday July 6 as Liverpool's pre-season training programme got underway ahead of their tour across Asia.