Jurgen Klopp has paid tribute to a host of Liverpool youngsters after the 6-0 friendly thrashing of Blackburn on Thursday, hailing the impact of Ki-Jana Hoever, Leighton Clarkson and Yasser Larouci while speaking to the club’s official website.
If Reds fans were worried that their side would be a little undercooked when ‘Project Re-start’ gets underway, the way they put Rovers to the sword in ruthless fashion in midweek should ease those fears somewhat.
Liverpool have had three months off but it has taken Roberto Firmino, Sadio Mane and co no time at all to get back into their stride.
The likes of Naby Keita and Takumi Minamino seized their chance to shine at an empty Anfield as Liverpool ran out 6-0 winners, while a number of academy graduates also staked their claim with impressive cameos.
Clarkson, a diminutive 18-year-old midfielder, scored the sixth of the day with a tidy finish. And Hoever once again looked a cut above, setting up Joel Matip’s effort with a brilliant backheel before curling home a glorious goal of his own.
‘Looks really good’
“(Clarkson’s goal) is just so nice. Not only the goal, but when you see the situations when he came on, I think the first pass was between the two strikers, he got it in the No.6 position where he is calm, turns and passes the ball out,” Klopp beamed.
“Obviously the basis for Leighton is not too bad. Jake [Cain] did really well, as well. Ki-Jana, centre-half and right-back and looks really good.
“You see them – when Harvey [Elliott], Curtis [Jones] and Neco [Williams] played, it looked good as well. It’s coming, it’s nice and nice they are here and training with us.
“Yasser [Larouci], too, he looked really good – so that was good and very important for us.”
With Liverpool just one game away from lifting the Premier League title – at the home of bitter rivals Everton no less – Klopp will have plenty of opportunities to test out his teen talents during the final few weeks of 2019/20.
Larouci could be handed the chance to prove that he can compete with Andy Robertson for the left-back spot, while the impending departure of Pedro Chirivella to Nantes could open the door for Clarkson to secure a first-team berth.
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