From the likes of Gerrard, Owen and
Alexander-Arnold Liverpool’s academy has seen its fair share of youth products
make the step-up. Here’s the latest crop. Football supporters from around the
world can buy Premier League Tickets online to enjoy its
brilliant actions.
Liverpool’s Kirby academy situated in
the borough of Knisley on the outskirts of the city has seen some of the
greatest players in the world grace its turf. From the legend that is Steven
Gerrard to Ballon D’or winner Michael Owen and more recently Champions League
winner Trent Alexander-Arnold as well as England star Raheem Sterling.
And the Reds have some quality youth
products in their academy currently too. Some of them proved their worth and
mettle in the sensational 5-5 draw against Arsenal in the League Cup and will
be hoping to impress yet again in their quarter-final encounter with Aston
Villa.
Here are five players who are set to
become the next Anfield stars to make a breakthrough from the Reds’ academy.
1. Harvey Elliott
Age: 16
Position: Winger
Elliot is without a shadow of a doubt
the best young player in Liverpool’s academy right now. Having already made his
Premier League debut for Fulham last
season, Elliott impressed in Jurgen Klopp’s first-team featuring sporadically
in pre-season during the summer after making the move to Merseyside.
He caught the eye with his quick feet
and uncanny eye for a pass. He showed maturity beyond his years and from that
moment onwards the Harvey Elliott hype begun amidst the Liverpool fans. Since
then Elliott has been featuring regularly with great esteem in the club’s
academy and has proved himself in two League Cup performances for the Reds
first team in which he both stood out.
In 2020 Elliott will be hoping to get
himself even closer to a first-team appearance in the league and continue his
good form.
Still just 16 years of age, he has
plenty of time to develop and under the guidance of Jurgen Klopp, he could
certainly become a true gem for the Reds.
2. Curtis Jones
Age: 18
Position: Midfielder
Often when you see a midfielder excelling
in the Reds’ academy the first instinct will be to compare him to the Reds’
legendary midfielder Steven Gerrard. With Curtis Jones, it is easy to see why
such comparisons are being made.
Jones is a very direct and combative
player. He drives the ball forward with the tenacity and pace that is very
reminiscent of Gerrard himself during his early days at Liverpool.
A fellow scouse Jones also
understands the essence of the club and he is very talkative on the pitch.
Klopp himself dubbed Jones as a ‘proper scouse’ to Liverpoolfc.com and
said how Jones is not ‘shy to say a few things’ to the senior players in
training or during the match.
This season Jones has continued to
get a taste of first-team football playing in the League Cup and hopes to finally
make a senior appearance in the Premier League after coming close a couple of times
being involved in matchday squads during last season and this season.
With 7 goals in 11 matches already
this season for Liverpool U23s Jones has clearly proved he is a step up from
that level and a loan move or promotion is certainly imminent for the scouse
midfielder and England youth international in 2020.
3. Ki-Jana Hoever
Age: 17
Position: Defender
The Dutch defender made his debut for
Liverpool last season at just 16 years of age. Hoever impressed during that
cameo FA Cup performance against Wolverhampton Wanderers and now finds himself
as one of the brightest prospects at the club.
Hailing from Ajax’s legendary
academy, Hoever was quite a coup for Liverpool when they announced they managed
to bring the Dutch defender to Anfield. He is an extremely versatile player who
can play both as a full-back and a central defender.
Hoever’s most impressive trait other
than his athleticism is his ability on the ball. The 17-year-old is extremely
composed when in the possession and makes impressive darting runs forward from
the back. He has the confidence and the ability to bring the ball out of defense
and the cheek to take on attackers and beat them with his skill.
A U17 European Champion, Hoever
already bagged his first senior goal for the Reds this season with a well-timed
header against MK Dons in the league cup. He missed the game against Arsenal
due to being away with the Netherlands at the U17 World Cup but he is expected
to return and feature against Aston Villa in December.
In 2020 Hoever will be hoping to make
his Premier League debut and perhaps a loan move beckons for the youngster in
order to get some vital senior experience which will hopefully help him break
into Jurgen Klopp’s side.
4. Neco Williams
Age: 18
Position: Right-back
The Reds currently have a great share
of young Welsh talent in their academy at Kirby with the likes of Ben Woodburn
and Harry Wilson impressing for the Reds. 18-year-old Neco Williams could be
following suit of the above-mentioned names.
Williams was outstanding on his
unexpected debut for Liverpool’s senior side against Arsenal in the League Cup
with some solid challenges and great defensive play overall.
He also helped Liverpool secure the last gasp equalizer
providing a great cross for Divock Origi to finish into the back of the net. Williams
has been a stalwart at the academy level for the Reds and has been making great
strides recently.
Williams is great going forward and
is a solid defender too. He has been compared to the likes of Gareth Bale and
after scoring 3 goals in 2 games for Wales’ U19 side during the most recent
international break it is easy to see why.
In 2020, Williams will face the tough
task of breaking into Liverpool’s first team, though he may have to go in the
route of his fellow compatriots in Woodburn and Wilson and embark on a loan
spell first.
With Trent-Alexander Arnold so
magnificent in the right-back role for Jurgen Klopp’s first-team Williams will
have to bide his time well and perhaps adapt his game in order to break into
the German’s recognition.
5. Paul Glatzel
Age: 18
Position: Forward
The German U18 international who has
also represented England at youth level suffered a torrid injury during
Liverpool’s pre-season in the summer.
Glatzel was just beginning to make a
mark against Tranmere Rovers after being given the opportunity by Jurgen Klopp
when an unfortunate challenge ruled him out for the rest of 2019.
It was a major blow for the German
striker who was undoubtedly one of Liverpool’s best academy players during the
previous season and an integral part of the Reds’ young team which lifted the
FA Youth Cup.
Glatzel scored a total of 23 goals
and gave out 5 assists during the 2018/19 in various teams and levels for
Liverpool’s academy.
He is a strong physical striker well
suited to the Premier League with great hold-up play and the ability to bring
his team-mates into the attack.
Glatzel also has a tremendous pace
and uses his strength to dribble past players with ease by shrugging them
aside. His energy enables him to chase back for loose balls and he is well
suited to Jurgen Klopp’s gegenpressing style.
He is expected to return from his
cruciate ligament injury in February and 2020 will be a major year for Glatzel.
He will be hoping to get himself fit for Liverpool’s pre-season tour and for
another chance to impress his fellow German Jurgen Klopp.
Football fans can get Liverpool Tickets through our reliable online ticketing
marketplace. Ticket4football.com is the most consistent source to book
Liverpool Football tickets.
No comments:
Post a Comment