Five future Klopp stars from Liverpool’s academy

Follow us on Google Discover

We profile five future stars from Liverpool’s academy.

Over the past couple of seasons Liverpool have seen a pleasing number of its academy players graduate into the first team squad. Recent successes include the likes of Cameron Brannagan, Pedro Chirivella, Connor Randall and Sheyi Ojo – who have all made their competitive debuts for the Anfield club.

Here are a further five future starlets from the Liverpool academy to monitor:

Trent Alexander-Arnold tasted first team action for Liverpool during the 2015-16 pre-season, as then manager Brendan Rodgers selected the athletic Alexander-Arnold for a friendly against Swindon Town.

However, it wasn’t until October 2016 that Alexander-Arnold made his competitive debut for Liverpool, which came against Tottenham Hotspur in the fourth round of the EFL Cup. His performance at right back received praise from former Liverpool great Graeme Souness on Sky Sports.

Alexander-Arnold, who can play in midfield or at right-back. has gained valuable international exposure and success with England from under-16 through to under-19 level, where the Liverpool prospect currently has four goals in six under-19 appearances.

Tottenham’s Georges-Kevin Nkoudou in action with Liverpool’s Trent Alexander-Arnold

Goalkeeper Shamal George joined the academy in 2009 and has played for the under-18 side since the 2014/15 season. George was an unused squad member on numerous occasions for Jurgen Klopp’s first team during the latter part of the 2015-16 campaign and was also included in the first team’s pre-season tour of the United States.

George has the marvellous claim to have represented the club as a centre forward also – having been brought on in attack during a pre-season game against Huddersfield.

Adam Phillips is a 17-year-old midfielder who is highly rated within the academy. Whilst perhaps not quite ready for Jurgen Klopp’s consideration at this stage, he is certainly one worth monitoring over the next couple of seasons. Phillips has a fine creative streak, and also boasts a combative nature as a central midfielder, and is a threat from dead-ball situations.

Another academy product not yet 18, Yan Dhanda is a potentially wonderful prospect for Liverpool. Dhanda joined the academy in 2013 and can play centrally as a ‘number 10’ or on the left. Dhanda has been a significant part of Liverpool’s under-18 side and will be hoping to make the break-through into the under-23 set up over the coming months. Like Phillips, Dhanda is one to watch for the future.

Of our five academy prospects featured here, Ovie Ejaria is perhaps the one closest to making the breakthrough to Jurgen Klopp’s first team plans this season. The 18-year-old was signed to the academy from Arsenal in the summer of 2014 and made his first Premier League appearance in Liverpool’s recent 6-1 demolition of Watford.

Liverpool’s Oviemuno Ejaria in action with Tottenham’s Eric Dier

Ejaria made his first start for Liverpool in the same cup tie as Alexander-Arnold; the EFL Cup fourth round tie against Tottenham Hotspur in October – impressing with a strong, energetic and intelligent display.