ALEX WHITTLE has watched two of his friends steer Liverpool towards title glory - and has his heart set on a dream double by winning the play-offs.

The 21-year-old spent 11 years at the academy of his beloved Reds before he was released in 2011 and played in the same youth team as current first-team stars Raheem Sterling and Jon Flanagan.

They have helped move the Merseysiders to just four wins from claiming their first championship in 24 years and Whittle is desperate to see his mates celebrate while he makes the step-up from League One with the Pars.

He told Press Sport, "When I was younger I played in the same youth team and knew Raheem (Sterling) really well and was good mates with Flanno (Flanagan). Fair play to the kid for him to do so well and play every week, and it'd be incredible if he won the league at 21 when Liverpool haven't won it in 24 years.

"Hopefully the Reds can do it. I was watching the game on Sunday (against Manchester City) with Josh (Falkingham) and Callum (Morris) who were trying to let me know Liverpool are rubbish and although I think they need a bit of luck, I think they'll do it. This is the year for them and if they win the league and we get promoted, it won't be a bad summer for me and there'll be a lot of celebrating going on!

"I think everyone would say that we deserve second place but it's all about the play-offs now. We can't put in all that hard work and not go up now so we need to reward everyone, especially ourselves, and get back into the Championship." Last year Dunfermline faced an ultimately unsuccessful battle to stay in the First Division after being dragged into the relegation play-off spot with Whittle pitched into an unfamiliar left back role.

Fast forward 12 months and he has become accustomed to playing a more defensive game while the Pars will go into the play-offs with a different mindset.

He continued, "This time we'll fancy ourselves to go and do the business. Last season we were coming off a down while the teams below us were on an up so this year will be different. We're not fussed who we play because all the boys are confident but we want to go into them in good form.

"If we can get a few wins then everyone's going to be in high spirits."