Top 10 Liverpool youth prospects

There is a belief among football fans that there are no better, dedicated and loyal players to a club than those who spent their entire lives and made their big breakthrough at that club. Conversely, people will point out at the likes of Steve McManaman, Michael Owen and Mario Goetze as exceptions to that rule but many more will point to other shining examples who were bred in academies of clubs like Liverpool, Manchester United and Barcelona in past two decades and remained one club men and role models to young football players all around the globe.

Creating your own players has so many upsides: young players are being taught for years to play the way their senior teammates play. The fact that they spend so much time at their club usually creates an emotional bond between the player and the club. A whole generation of players who have spent their football education together and know each other’s style of playing can be eased in at once and, finally, transfer fees (if any) are incomparably small in relation to those paid to bring established players for the first team – a feat that is very important in times of financial crisis, penny-pinching that occurs in many clubs and emphasis on efficient spending of money. There are also rules regarding the number of homegrown players needed at every club, imposed by football’s governing bodies.

Thanks to Rafa Benitez, our academy woke up from the slumber it kept itself in since producing the golden generation of ’90s – reform that started around 2009 has seen some of the finest youth coaches and young football players join Liverpool’s ranks and it is just being recognised as some of these players have joined the big stage and have been taking their place on the pitch alongside the likes of Steven Gerrard and now retired Jamie Carragher, two of the most famous products of Liverpool’s youth system.

Liverpool fans have already seen glimpses of what’s in store for them at the Academy through the likes of Martin Kelly, Jack Robinson, Raheem Sterling , Suso Fernandez and Jordon Ibe. This article will describe ten of the best youngsters from Academy whose quality Liverpool fans will hopefully acquaint themselves with over coming years. Frankly, it was actually a relief to have so much trouble picking as little as ten as the current crop of youngsters is brimming with talent – and that’s not counting those who have already featured for Liverpool’s first team and/or are away on loan at this moment.

Ryan Fulton, goalkeeper, 16-years old

Football coaches usually say that the hardest position to make a breakthrough in is the goalkeeper. Aside from obvious talent, a goalkeeper needs to possess patience and consistency at a young age in order to progress up his club’s ladder. Liverpool have been trying to form their future long-term option for no. 1 spot in the team in past few years by bringing in a lot of talented youngsters from Great Britain but ultimately almost none of them had the quality requried and were soon moved on.

However, one caught the eye of Liverpool scouts – Ryan Fulton, a young Scottish international whom the club snapped up on a scholarship one year before he was even eligible to sign it – and is looking like the strongest bet to break the trend of young ’keepers failing to make the grade at Liverpool. Impressively built and reliable when called upon, he has so far shown the leadership required from a defence’s organiser, as well as great reflexes and aerial ability. Vocal and determined, he has immediately made himself known to keen viewers of Liverpool youth teams, which is usually uncommon for youth goalkeepers.

Lloyd Jones, central defender, 17-years old

This Welsh boy-mountain was brought into Liverpool’s academy from Plymouth, beating off competition from Everton, a fact the player himself bragged about and thus instantly endeared himself to many Liverpool fans around. His rise was rapid – after outstanding performances, he quickly got a promotion from U16 team via U18s to U21 team in less than two years, even earning a spot on the bench in injury-hit Liverpool side that played away to Fulham near the end of the last season.

Standing at 6’3’’, he strikes fear into opponents and models his game on Jamie Carragher but doesn’t shy away from the ball and likes to pass it around the pitch in a manner more reminiscent of Daniel Agger. He is committed in tackles and aerial duels and uses his massive frame to a good effect, even when roaming forward, though he could certainly use more of his impressive presence at set-pieces at the opposite end of the pitch, something that he will undoubtedly improve on with age.

Ryan McLaughlin, right back, 18-years old

Another story of quick progression, the Northern Irishman was signed as a 16-year old in the summer of 2011 and only a year later, he found himself marking Francesco Totti in a first team friendly game against Roma in the pre-season tour of United States of America. The jovial youngster has quickly won the hearts of the Liverpool faithful, as well as a call-up to Northern Ireland’s senior team, only for injury to prevent him from joining up with their squad.

Blessed with great pace, the youngster bases his game on modern fullbacks such as Dani Alves, which means that he is attack-minded and not afraid to take on his marker. He frequently overlaps in attack and delivers good crosses to his teammates but is very competent in the defensive phase of the game, tenaciously tackling and going at opponent, which isn’t often seen in young offensive fullbacks. His all-round qualities make him a great fit for flowing football systems such as one Brendan Rodgers is implementing at Liverpool and that could see him become the next Liverpool youngster to get his chance to impress in the first team.

Alex O’Hanlon, left back/left winger/attacking midfielder, 17-years old

While it’s a different situation with the first team, Liverpool can beat Real Madrid to a highly rated player’s signature at youth level. It’s precisely what happened with young Republic of Ireland international, Alex O’Hanlon, a player who had already drawn comparison to Gareth Bale (who, in all honesty, two years ago, when O’Hanlon moved to Liverpool, wasn’t rated as highly as he is today). This lad is well-built, has good balance and pace to burn down the left flank. He was known to be a threat for goal with his constant running into the box but Liverpool coaches somewhat curbed that instinct in order to add a few more strings to his bow.

After promotion to U18s that was followed by an initial period of struggle, he learnt to play a new role – he became the most advanced of the team’s midfield trio, exhibiting a more patient side of himself that is more creative and passes the ball better, threading great passes to his teammates time after time, racking up many assists in the process. I have to admit that I am unsure of whether he will remain in this role or be used in left back/left winger positions he originally played, but whichever position he nails down as his own, Liverpool will have a gem on their hands that they will hope can be polished into a top class player.

Marc Pelosi, central midfielder, 19-years old

Listening to interviews with certain managers of modern football and paying close attention to the way they set their teams up and select players, it’s not difficult to see that versatility and tactical acumen are regarded as quite important attributes in players today. The presence of these traits usually indicates greater football intelligence in players and these players have more chances of making the grade at their clubs. One such player is Marc Pelosi, a youth international of United States of America. Signed two years ago, he gained the reputation of a utility man who did well in just about any position he was tried in.

Although a box-to-box midfielder by preference, he has also shown the capability to play at left back, left wing and behind the striker. Pelosi’s clever movement, application in pressing and defending and intelligent use of the ball saw him become a reliable platform for his teammates at U18 and then at U21 level, and draw praise from Academy director, Frank McParland. Additionally, Pelosi can break forward and chip in with goals, which is a great trait to have in a team that relies on sharing responsibilities, rather than building around one or two players who are expected to score goals on a regular basis. He is currently recovering from a broken leg sustained earlier this year and will undoubtedly come back with the same hunger to succeed and make the most out of his natural footballing instincts.

Jordan Rossiter, central midfielder, 16-years old

Liverpool fans have been hearing mentions of this name for a while, usually accompanied by a vast array of superlatives, but it usually is hard to believe the hype of any young player until you actually see what he is all about in a run of games. Let me say that this kid is a bit special. When teams line up, you won’t notice this Liverpool-born lad because his physique doesn’t really stand out of the crowd. When the ball kicks off, however, you will notice a kid with burning desire to take control of the game. Whether he does it through smart distribution of the ball or tough, crunching but well-timed tackles is irrelevant. He is ambidextrous, good passer with good control of the ball and loves to play simple passes and one-twos to orchestrate the way his sides builds attacks.

Even though he is naturally a forward-thinking central midfielder, this season he is playing as the most withdrawn of three midfielders, tasked with shielding his back line, winning possession and controlling the tempo of the game. So, it’s fair to say that his game is all about timing – timing of passes, timing of tackles, timing of forward runs, and his age that gives him plenty of time to expand his all-round ability and perhaps add more influence to the scoreline.

An unassuming character with a will to win and lead his teammates by example (sounds familiar, Liverpool fans?) even at such a tender age, Rossiter is on fast-track to the first team, having recently started in U21 side against their Manchester United counterparts, where he never looked out of place – quite the opposite. Many Liverpool fans will eagerly follow his progress and hope that he will be the one, though not the only, to take over the mantle of Liverpool’s Scouse greats.

João Carlos Teixeira, central attacking midfielder, 20yrs

Buying a player while he is seriously injured, regardless of his talent, is always a gamble. Sometimes it backfires. Sometimes it pays off. In any case, it is a testament of how highly the buying club rates the quality of such a player. João Teixiera is one from that group. A product of the renowned Sporting Lisbon academy and a Portuguese youth international, he was spotted while he was busy tearing apart the team of his Liverpool counterparts in first iteration of NextGen Series. His quality was evident: he was quick, difficult to read, constantly moving with and without the ball and was the organiser of his team’s moves because of his uncanny control, vision and liveliness.

When Liverpool decided to follow up their interest with a formal bid, his back was in a brace due to a serious injury as he had already been sidelined for at least half a year – which didn’t put Frank McParland and his colleagues off his trail. When he finally recovered, Liverpool fans were left impressed with his overall quality as he simply carried on where he left off with his previous club. Safe to say, he has outgrown the youth levels of English football and now finds himself available on loan. Big league clubs like Bologna have already been voicing their intents to borrow his services for one season at least. (Teixera has recently joined Brentford on loan)

Oluwaseyi Ojo, midfielder/forward, 16-years old

A product of MK Dons’ academy, Oluwaseyi “Seyi“ Ojo was held in such a high regard that he was training with their U18 team at the age of 14. That’s when Chelsea’s interest in him was made public but Liverpool managed to nip in and get him to sign – although the fee wasn’t disclosed, BBC speculated that it was around one million pounds. Even though he was initially playing with U16, he occasionally played for U18s and soon became a permanent fixture in the U18 side. What’s so interesting about this kid? Well, the first thing you notice about him is his physique – he is not particularly tall (and frequently changes haircuts) but is blessed with strength and pace, so he can shield the ball, cover a lot of ground quickly or easily brush people off him when he makes his runs down the wing.

Then you notice his technique, the way he controls the ball and drags it forward past people without fear or remorse and that he has a hammer of a left foot. Although he’s originally a left winger, he has been used in multitude of positions (which has become a common practice with young players in order to widen their spectrum of abilities and teach them to understand various roles better), so he’s already played as a right winger, an attacking midfielder, as well as a more withdrawn midfielder tasked with recovery and distribution of the ball (he excelled in that role in recent game against Everton’s U18s). Determined and skillful, this lad could be one of the most interesting prospects to emerge out of Liverpool’s youth ranks.

Ryan Kent, winger/forward, 16-years old

This Oldham-born youngster joined Liverpool’s academy at the age of nine and progressed rather quickly through youth ranks, making his debut for U18 team last season, aged 16. He alternated between flanks in his Liverpool career so far, impressing in both. He is very quick, plucky and a very good and very direct dribbler. It is noticeable that he likes to cut inside his marker and into the box to score goals. His character is also one of his strong points as he never lets his opponents take a breath and isn’t fazed when they slide roughly into his ankles. His directness could see him become a real outlet from wide if he makes the grade, not just in terms of goals but also in terms of assists as he has good crossing ability.

Jerome Sinclair, striker, 17-years old

The young England international is probably the best known name from this list as he has rewritten football history books when he became the youngest player to have ever played for Liverpool, having come on as a substitute in last season’s League Cup clash away to West Bromwich Albion, aged only 16 years and 6 days. WBA was actually the team from whose academy he was snapped up in the summer of 2011 as a part of large intake of best British and Irish talent. The trend of fast promotion of best talents through youth ranks saw him become a part of the U18 team the year after his arrival to Liverpool, where he made himself know to broader audience, culminating with his so far only appearance for first team.

What’s so special about him? Well, the easiest way to describe Sinclair is to compare him to Daniel Sturridge, current spearhead of Liverpool’s attack. Similar in build and similarly quick and strong, he likes to drift wide in search of space and better position to make his runs at goal or defenders. He is a complete forward who can also shield the ball well and is very agile, so defenders marking him have a tough task predicting which side of them he will move next. His ambidexterity helps him a lot in his quest for goals, as well as in going past defenders, and he’s also an accomplished header of the ball. However, as someone who likes to frequently have the ball at his feet, he can be selfish sometimes and try too hard to make things happen all by himself but it’s common knowledge that majority of talented strikers usually develop that kind of mentality early in their careers and polish it as they mature. Nevertheless, he is an outstanding talent and someone who is both pleasing on the eye and effective, so we should be hearing a lot more about him in the future.

Writer’s Notes:

Reading this article, it is easy to notice that there is a trend of fast-tracking the best youngsters and lowering the average age even of youth teams in order to give the best young players quick exposure to upper age groups. Considering that and the last two seasons, further integration of best young talents into first team is expected. The best part, however, is that these ten youngsters are just ten pieces of grand scheme of academy’s progress – you could ask ten different people who follow Liverpool’s youth teams and they would surely come up with different ten names for such a list.

Talent alone, no matter how great it is, is not enough, though, but there is strong belief that a lot of these kids could make it because of guidance they are provided at Kirkby and Melwood. They are not being taught only to be good players but also good and down-to-Earth human beings. Liverpool fans will only expect to see these kids take care of themselves on and off the pitch, put in a lot of hours of hard work and hope that injuries will pass them by. The future of our club is, thankfully, very bright.