Mark Lawrenson selects Alexander-Arnold as Liverpool’s best young player

Follow us on Google Discover

Mark Lawrenson gives his thoughts on Liverpool’s academy talents.

Liverpool legend Mark Lawrenson has give his thoughts on the brightest young prospects at the club.

Lawrenson believes Joe Gomez has what it takes to save Liverpool millions and become Virgil van Dijk’s partner at centre-back.

Speaking to HITC Sport on behalf of www.FootballTips.com, Lawrenson says he believes Gomez can establish himself in the heart of defence.

Lawrenson said: “I think Gomez is starting to look like a really good player and I think eventually he will end up a centre back.

“Then you’re kind of thinking him and Virgil van Dijk might be the partnership going forward which would be good because Gomez is big and he’s quick, and he’s strong on the ball.”

Gomez has played the majority of his games as a full-back this season, filling in on both the right and left side of defence.

Breakthrough player Trent Alexander-Arnold has made a big impact and Lawrenson rates the 19-year-old as Liverpool’s best young talent.

He also expressed concern for Ben Woodburn and other young talents who find themselves on the fringes of the first team, that the standard required.

Lawrenson said: “Then you’ve got Trent Alexander Arnold and I think, he’s the best of all the young players they’ve got including the likes of Woodburn etc.

“I think he’s going to be one of the best attacking players in terms of defensively that Liverpool have had for a long long time. They’ve got quite a few younger players, two or three, that they’ve let out on loan because they’re probably too good for the U23’s.

“But, I kind of look at those players and I’m a little bit, even with Woodburn, I’m a little bit like you know what, I don’t think they would quite make it at Liverpool because you want Champions League standard for those players.”

Young talents Ryan Kent, Ovie Ejaria and Harry Wilson have all joined Championship clubs on loan, and really need to make a big impact if they are to force their way into Liverpool’s team.

Alexander-Arnold has shown it is possible, but defence is the area where Liverpool are weak, and attacking player will find getting into the first team as regulars is a lot tougher.