From Phil Thompson and Sammy Lee to Robbie Fowler, Jamie Carragher, Steven Gerrard and Raheem Sterling, few English clubs can rival Liverpool’s illustrious academy for graduates who go on to achieve incredible success at Anfield or elsewhere.
Of course, it’s harder than ever before for young players, particularly English ones, to force their way into the first-team picture at top flight clubs, with finished article alternatives from abroad becoming the inevitable preference of most Premier League sides.
But are there any promising youngsters currently in the Melwood setup who can rightly hope to emulate the likes of Gerrard and Sterling by becoming future Anfield icons and regular trophy winners?
Football FanCast take a look at the members of Liverpool’s U23 squad that have impressed us most in Premier League 2 this season, and then ask Reds supporters which promising youngster they think has the best chance of becoming a mainstay of the senior side.
Matty Virtue
Back at the start of the season, U23s boss Neil Critchely singled out Matty Virtue for praise, insisting the youngster may go on to surprise doubters because of the extra work he always puts in after training to try and improve his game. The likes of Frank Lampard and Gary Neville will tell you that attitude can take young footballers an incredibly long way, even if they don’t start out as the most natural of talents.
Critchley was most pleased with the driving force Virtue provided from midfield and acknowledged his performances last season for giving him a platform to continue in the same vein in the current one, the 2017/18 Premier League 2 campaign seeing him rank joint-38th throughout both divisions for tackles and 21st for passes.
Although uncapped by England at youth international level, the 20-year-old is now on loan at Kevin Nolan’s Notts County until the end of the season and has already made seven outings for the first team.
What the experts say – Live4Liverpool’s George Dagless: “He’s perhaps not at the level of expectation of many U23s team-mates right now but, importantly, he has been some playing senior football on loan for Notts County. That’s going to serve him well with both the physical side of the game and match management, with both aspects vital for his position on the pitch.
“He’s decent enough on the ball and a neat passer but he’s certainly going to have his work cut out to get in the senior side in the coming years and needs to start bossing games when he plays. Indeed, he’s not been able to nail down a place for Notts County despite a handful of games and so that suggests to me he’s got plenty to do get to Liverpool’s level.”
Conor Masterson
After being brought into Liverpool’s mid-season training camp squad in February last year, the Liverpool Echo described Conor Masterson as a ball-playing centre-half of good size with an excellent pass on him, which not only fits perfectly into the direction the Premier League has sharply moved towards in recent seasons but also Jurgen Klopp’s philosophy at Anfield.
He was the captain of Liverpool’s U18s side last season and has stepped up to the next age bracket with relative ease; he’s made the Premier League 2 squad the second-most times of any player at the club this season, 15, and from his 10 appearances has averaged just shy of 50 passes per game.
Having been capped for Ireland at U16, U17, U18 and U19 level – now boasting eleven caps for the latter age group – the 19-year-old appears to have a bright future. Just one clean sheet from his Premier League 2 outings this season, however, suggests Masterson still has plenty to learn about the art of defending.
What the experts say – FFC’s Danielle Joynson: “Masterson already possesses a maturity on the ball that could potentially result in him getting a chance at the top level. As well as showing leadership qualities at the back, he is able to step out in possession and ping diagonal balls to wide areas. His passing accuracy is a major strength, but he is lacking a bit of the physicality that is needed in the Premier League. Perhaps he needs a loan deal to gain some more experience before being thrown into the deep end.”
Harry Wilson
Harry Wilson is Liverpool’s top scorer in Premier League 2 this season, his twelve outings producing an incredibly potent return of ten goals and three assists. No player has taken more efforts at goal in the first division of Premier League 2 than Wilson this season and throughout both tiers only four players have found the net more times than him thus far.
Combine that with the fact the 20-year-old has already scored twice in the Championship for Hull City, joining the Tigers on loan in January, and netted for three different age groups for the Welsh national team, and he already looks like a consistent goal threat that could add a little extra firepower to Jurgen Klopp’s first-team squad.
Measuring in at just 5 foot 8 though, perhaps the ultimate question is whether Wilson has the physicality to be a real success in English football.
What the experts say – FFC’s Danielle Joynson: “Wilson is already proving that he is ready to take the next step having scored the winning goal for Hull City against Norwich at the weekend. Being on loan will certainly boost his chances of getting future game time at Anfield. His versatility allows him to play either as a winger or off the striker and he clearly has an eye for goal. Wilson also possesses pace and is a strong set-piece taker. For me, he has the attributes that would suit a Liverpool side, but he needs to prove it consistently.”
Rhian Brewster
Rhian Brewster is perhaps the most well-known member of Liverpool’s Melwood setup, having risen to national attention last year for his pivotal role in England winning the U17 World Cup, netting consecutive hat-tricks against the USA and Brazil before scoring in a 5-2 win over Spain in the final. His overall record for the Junior Lions at U17 level is an incredible 20 goals in 22 games.
For Liverpool too, the young forward has consistently impressed this season, providing the most assists of any player in the top tier of Premier League 2 while also chipping in with five goals from eleven appearances – his strike tally only surpassed by the aforementioned Wilson.
The immediate concern though, considering the vast potential Brewster has already shown, is how well he can recover from an ankle injury that has ruled him out for the rest of this season.
What the experts say – Live4Liverpool’s George Dagless: “There’s a lot of excitement around Brewster and rightly so – he’s definitely got the potential to make it into the first team in the next few years or so. Strengths wise he possesses great pace and finishing which we saw a lot of with England last summer, so that’s already promising.
“What he’ll need to develop in the coming years is a better understanding of pressing at the right time and hold-up play. He works hard across the front line and has the right attitude to the game which bodes well but it’s just making sure he is efficient instead of too exuberant. If he does that he could grow into a player Jurgen Klopp doesn’t hesitate in using.”
So, Liverpool fans, which youngster do you think has the best chance of becoming a future Anfield star? Let us know by voting below…