Liverpool are on their way of lifting the Premier League trophy after a 30-year wait. Yet, they will be looking to sparkle again and defend the crown next season.
The league 2019/20 winners have been linked with a number of stars, including Kalidou Koulibaly, Thiago Alcantara, Jadon Sancho and Kylian Mbappe. However, the club boss Jurgen Klopp has already confirmed that none of them will join the Reds. It is mainly connected with the club’s financial conditions due to the coronavirus outbreak. Instead, they will focus on young talents.
Klopp has already shared his thoughts on the club teenagers and their role in Liverpool development, saying: “We cannot spend millions and millions and millions because we want to or we think it is nice to do. We never wanted that. We want to strengthen this squad and this squad is strong. The problem with a strong squad is how do you improve a strong squad in the transfer market? It works with money, obviously, that is possible. But it never works only with money. You have to be creative and we try to be creative. We try to find solutions internally and there is still a lot to come: we have three or four players who can make big steps.”
Klopp’s coaching policy will have a huge impact on both the team and the youngsters personally as they will be given a chance to push themselves to the first-team squad.
Here are 5 Liverpool teenagers that could follow Trent Alexander-Arnold and sparkle at Anfield next season.
Rhian Brewster
The 20-year-old is currently playing on loan for Swansea in the Championship. He has scored 6 goals in 13 league appearances for his side.
After a progressive loan spell, he would return to Anfield with more experience and will have all chances to become one of Liverpool's key players.
The Reds will have high hopes on the English professional, with Klopp, as well as his former U-18s coach, Steven Gerrard, heaping praise on him.
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Leighton Clarkson
FA Cup fourth round replay against Shrewsbury became memorable for the 18-year-old. Since then the unknown midfielder has shown his promising quality.
Clarkson played in Liverpool’s youngest ever team against the League One side in February and celebrated a 1-0 win with his side.
He also scored a goal, contributing to the club’s 6 -0 win over Blackburn during a behind-closed-doors friendly.
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Harvey Elliott
Elliott is one of the promising youngsters in the Reds teenage squad.
He played the full 90 minutes of the club’s three Carabao Cup fixtures. The 17-year-old has also been included in three of the Reds’ four FA Cup clashes this term.
In spite of his young age, Elliott managed to achieve great things. So, it would not be surprising to see him sparkling in the first team next season.
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Ki-Jana Hoever
Hoever’s senior career steps at Anfield are connected with last term’s FA Cup.
In spite of making only three appearances for his side this season, the defender, who can play at right-back and in the middle, managed to record a goal during the Carabao Cup.
Recently there are concerns over Joel Matip’s fitness, with the player being out injured for the rest of the season. The player’s absence could lead to the 18-year-old’s debut in the Premier League.
Image Source: This Is Anfield
Curtis Jones
Jones is very close to joining Jurgen Klopp's first-team squad, after 8 impressive appearances he made this term.
The 19-year-old has captained the team during the
win over Shrewsbury. He also had a key role during the club's win over Everton in this season’s FA Cup third round.
Playing for the Under-23s, Jones has scored three goals in a
7-0 win over Napoli in the UEFA Youth League as well as an eight-minute treble in a Premier League Cup win over Sunderland.
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