Liverpool’s academy director has signed a new contract at the club.
Liverpool confirmed on their official website that their academy director Alex Inglethorpe has signed a new long-term contract at the club, in what can be described as a reassuring move.
It’s reassuring for several reasons. One is that there was no suggestion that Inglethorpe was in any way inclined to move on from his time at Anfield, and there seemed to be no murmurings in the local and national media that any kind of deal was in the pipeline.
Alex Inglethorpe
It was simply a case of getting business done, and it suggests that things have been quite efficient. It’s a sign that things are getting done at a better way behind the scenes at the club.
Inglethorpe was also part of the staff at Liverpool prior to the arrival of Jürgen Klopp as the club’s manager in October last year. It was an appointment that took place in the early stages of the Brendan Rodgers reign in November 2012. Though his role has changed within the club during that time – having previously been under-21 manager, he became academy director in 2014, it has shown signs that his qualities have been recognised.
It also shows that there is someone in an important role at the club that has the trust of not just the current manager, but the one before him.
Liverpool manager Juergen Klopp celebrates with Oviemuno Ejaria at the end of the match
Given that Klopp is a player that likes to give younger players a chance, Inglethorpe’s record of overseeing the development of players who have gone on to make their debut for the first team in recent years is pretty impressive. 13 players have made their first team bout from the academy during his time as academy director.
Jordan Rossiter may not be at the club anymore, while Ryan Kent is out on loan, but it must be encouraging to see Ovie Ejaria, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Kevin Stewart all knocking on the door of the first team, while Cameron Brannagan and Sheyi Ojo got several tastes for action towards the end of last season – and may do so again in the future.
From the outside looking in, it feels that relationships are strong throughout the club in the most integral roles. That should fill all those that want to see a successful Liverpool with optimism.
Liverpool’s Kevin Stewart in action with Tottenham’s Eric Dier
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