Liverpool’s Top 5 promising prospects

Liverpool have proved themselves the league’s over-achievers this season and, as they currently occupy second place in the table, many will be backing them to go all the way.

The most impressive aspect of the Red’s campaign has been just how well the club’s younger players have performed. Rodgers is known to have a great deal of faith in his less experienced squad members and this term his trust has certainly paid off.

The younger generation have all played vital roles in the club’s title/top-four chase this season and this is a credit to the Northern Irishman’s commitment and hard work. He has won many admirers for the way he has nurtured many of the squad’s up and coming players and helped them make marked improvements.

Rodgers believes Liverpool’s renaissance should serve to convince the best young British players that Anfield is the perfect place to boost their development and this certainly seems to be the case.

Here we take a look at the club’s best five players aged 23 and under, based on Squawka Performance Score.

Jon Flanagan and Joe Allen

5. Jon Flanagan (49)

Jon Flanagan has burst onto the scene this season, having featured 13 times in Brendan Rodgers’ back four.

Injuries to Glen Johnson and Jose Enrique and a loan spell for Andre Wisdom have given the full-back plenty of opportunity to impress and he has done just that. He has repaid Rodgers’ faith whenever he has featured and if he continues on his current trajectory he could well become the club’s new local hero.

Steven Gerrard has already likened the youngster to Anfield legend Jamie Carragher. This season he has completed 44% of his tackles and 81% of his passes, whilst having completed an average of five defensive actions per game, including 46 clearances and 21 interceptions.

4. Joe Allen (113)

Joe Allen has proven himself as a versatile midfield option for Brendan Rodgers throughout his time at Anfield.

The 23-year-old has featured just 15 times this campaign, often having filled in for an injured first team player. He was impressive when he came on for Liverpool against Swansea City and he earned a start for the victory against Southampton. He has undoubted ability, especially in terms of retaining possession but will have to add more to his game if he wishes to compete with the club’s current crop of midfield talent.

This season he has created just seven chances and is yet to score a goal. He has, however, completed 87% of his passes, 57% of his tackles and 72% of his take ons.

Raheem Sterling and Jordan Henderson

3. Raheem Sterling (405)

Raheem Sterling has blown supporters away with his recent performances for the Reds.

We have witnessed an incredible transformation from the player we saw at the back-end of the last campaign. The 19-year-old has excelled alongside Luis Suarez and Daniel Sturridge, having scored six and assisted three goals.

The youngster has matured considerably over the past 12 months and his mid-week England call-up is testament to all his hard work during this period. Rodger’s has dramatically changed his mentality both on and off the field and this seen his football reach a whole new level.

He earned the man-of-the-match award in the Three Lions’ 1-0 win over Denmark after a display similar to those we have seen all season in a Liverpool shirt. Combining his lighting pace and ability with an incredible work rate up and down the flank, Sterling put in a fantastic performance for his country and, after earning Roy Hodgson’s stamp of approval, he looks to have all-but secured his place in England’s World Cup Squad.

2. Philippe Coutinho (422)

Philippe Coutinho has experienced a patch of poor form recently but there can be no denying his is a player with huge potential.

At just 21 years of age, the Brazilian has already demonstrated signs of star quality and under the guidance of Brendan Rodgers you would expect him to flourish. He has immense skill on the ball and is blessed with an eye for a defence splitting pass.

These are the two attributes that make him such an incredibly dangerous threat on the edge of the penalty area – he has created 40 chances for his teammates this season, of which were converted into goals, whilst he has completed 55% of his attempted take ons.

He has proven instrumental for Liverpool at times this season, particularly against Everton and Arsenal at Anfield. He pulled the strings from midfield in both of the games, producing a number of ‘wow’ moments as the Reds demolished their opposition. Importantly this season, we have witnessed his effort and determination to improve the defensive side of his game and this is now paying dividends. His recent run of poor form is only temporary, it will not be long for him to be back at his best.

1. Jordan Henderson (689)

Despite having receiving copious amounts of criticism in the early stages of his Anfield career, Jordan Henderson has stepped up remarkably to become Liverpool’s most reliable player this term.

He is yet to miss a Premier League match for the Reds and it is clear to see why. The English youngster has played a key role in Rodgers’ favoured system, slotting in front of Steven Gerrard in central midfield. From this position he has played exceptionally well, directly assisting six goals, whilst having created an impressive 50 chances – a total inferior to only the Liverpool captain and Luis Suarez.

He has even offered a threat in front of goal himself, hitting the back of the net on three occasions. His recent international call-up suggests he is set to become a regular starter for England and, based on his form this term, he could play an important role for Roy Hodgson’s side at the summer World Cup.