Liverpool and Derby County prospects rank highest.
Goodison Park
Youth football in England underwent not so much as shake-up as a slight tweak this season as the under-21 league became the under-23 league.
Also described as the ‘Premier League 2’, it is split into two divisions, and after six games each, it is Everton who sit top of the table.
The young Toffees have 15 points from a possible 18, scoring 15 goals and conceding only two.
Southampton follow closely behind with 13 points, and Liverpool on 12 points.
General view of Derby County fans
As for the standout players, the goalscoring rankings are topped by Derby County whizkid Charles Vernam.
Vernam, 19, signed from Scunthorpe at just 16 and has been making his way through the club’s ranks.
He has scored seven goals in six games, just one from the penalty spot, with five of them opening the goalscoring for his club.
Yet despite his personal heroics, Derby’s season has not started well. They sit in 11th place out of 12, with just one win and five losses.
Liverpool’s Danny Ings scores their first goal
Following Vernam, is Liverpool striker Danny Ings, with four goals. Ings has played in the Premier League for Burnley and Liverpool, and is working his way back to full fitness and sharpness after a serious knee injury.
But Reds fans will also be heartened to hear that Ings’ tally has been matched by pre-season sensation Ben Woodburn.
Woodburn has netted four times, all from open play, and at just 16-years-old is a player to watch in seasons to come.
He has already impressed first team boss Jurgen Klopp, and his goal tally come the end of the season could well exceed the 20 goal mark.
Liverpool’s Ben Woodburn celebrates scoring their second goal
Liverpool manager Juergen Klopp with Ben Woodburn at the end of the match
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