Liverpool Youngsters: The next Generation

Rhian Brewster is our of most exciting youngsters in our academy, and is poised to make big strides in his Liverpool career this season, after his long term injury keeping him out of action for the last 12 months.

Rhian Brewster profile:

Born 1st April 2000 in London

Position - Striker

Joined Chelsea at the age of 7 before joining Liverpool when he was 15, as he believed his Liverpool give youngsters more opportunities for the first team.

World cup winner, winning the Under-17 world cup 5-2 against Spain in a game Brewster scored in. He was also the winner of the Golden boot and the Bronze ball in this tournament, scoring 8 goals in total.

Rated highly by both Steven Gerrard, who was in charge of the U-18's when Brewster was working his way up, and by Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp.

Grew a big bro-mance with "The Ox" aka Oxlade-Chamberlian, which is unsurprising, with them both being out on long term injuries.

Looked up to Luis Suarez when he was at Liverpool and wants to emulate his calibre of performances, quote from Rhian, “His playing style is a bit like mine, quick feet, can score goals and if I could play for Liverpool’s first team like him one day that would be amazing.”.

This season Rhian is back from his long term injury and looking to jump start his career this season. Rhian is still without a senior appearance for the reds, but his youth career stats show a very talented player who wants to show everyone what he's about;

- Scoring 24 goals in 28 appearances for England youth sides (U-16/U-17/U-18)

- Scoring 15 goals & 13 assists in 36 games for Liverpool youth sides ( U-18, U-19 youth league squad, U-23) being more prolific for the U-23's ( 9 goals & 9 assists in 21 games).

As we can see from these stats Brewster is a prolific striker who has an eye for goal. His style of play has been likened to both former and current Liverpool strikers, Luis Suarez & Roberto Firmino, with his high pressing game and expert finishing, which could make him an ideal deputy to Firmino in the senior squad, maybe even replace him one day. Klopp is also a big admirer of the young striker, constantly reassuring him during his time out through injury that his path to the first team is clear and ready for him when he returns to fitness. This is emphasised by our early preseason games in which Brewster has started both games and scoring 3 goals in these 2 games.

“Rhian has been in just outstanding shape for the last three or four weeks.” “He’s ready. There is a big chance. It’s nearly sure. It’s guaranteed." words from Klopp on Brewster back in May.

If everything goes to plan over preseason, Brewster getting minutes under his belt for the senior side and getting his sharpness back, I can only imagine we will see Brewster getting a number of performances for the senior side over the coming season. I myself am very hopeful for the youngster and believe he could be a global superstar for the reds over the coming years, with Klopp taking him under his wing.

Bobby Duncan is another exciting prospect coming through our academy, who recently joined Liverpool from Man City last summer. This was a dream move for the youngster who is cousin to Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard and lifelong Liverpool fan.

Bobby Duncan Profile:

Born in Whiston, 26 June 2001

Position - Striker

Joined from Man City, summer 2018 for a new challenge and to fulfil his dreams.

First noticed at the age of 7 for his high goal scoring ability and was later snapped up by Man City at the age of 10. He Continued his prolific scoring for city, scoring 66 goals in 2015/16 season.

Left city in august 2017 due to lack of opportunity and saw no way into the first team at the Manchester based club. However he missed a whole year of football due to City retaining his registration and this meant he couldn't sign for another club until this problem was resolved.

Summer of 2018 he was allowed to join Liverpool for £200,000.

Became the first player for England to score a hat-trick against Brazil at any age level in 2016, in a thrilling 4-3 win.

Winner of the Fa Youth Cup last season with Liverpool U-18's, scoring 5 goals during the tournament, including one in the final were he beat his former side man city through penalties.

Scoring 30 goals last season and being top goal scorer in the academy and astonishingly also leading assist stats as well for the academy with 16 assists.

Played the majority of his games with the under 18's last season but did make 7 appearances for the under 23's, so promising for the future.

He's a left footed player, with deadly finishing and great vision for players around him, emphasised by his assists last season. He's a very direct player who likes to play off the shoulder and get in behind the centre backs.

Now looking forward, Bobby Duncan has a very good chance to impress during our preseason and is now in the states on our American tour. He's already got two 45 minutes under his belt, playing against Tranmere rovers & Bradford city, scoring in the Tranmere game, which was his first senior goal for the club. Scoring goals is what Bobby Duncan does best, it wasn't a brilliant goal, but he was in the right place at the right time and I for one was very happy to see the youngster score and get off the mark in preseason. Under Klopp there is always chances for youngsters and Bobby needs to take this preseason as a chance to impress and push his way into Klopp's plans for the future. If Bobby continues as he is, I can't see why he can't impress Klopp and I expect him to do just this.

Curtis Jones is another hot prospect from our academy who emerged onto the scene at the start of 2017/18 season, impressing for the U-18's and looking to follow in the footsteps of young Trent Alexander-Arnold into the first team. He went on to make his debut for the U-23's in January of 2018 and went on to sign his first professional contract in February. He then became a regular in the first team training at Melwood towards the end of that season.

Player profile:

Born 30/01/2001 in Liverpool

Position - Attacking Midfielder

Joined the club at the U-9's level and has quickly rose through the ranks, making his way all the way up to the first team.

First team debut in January 2019 against Wolves in the Fa Cup third round, in which he started. However he was named on the bench, against Everton back in April 2018.

Been called "Proper Scouser" by Jurgen Klopp.

Very versatile Midfielder who can play across the park, got a great eye for a pass and a shot in him as well, likened to Steven Gerrard's bullet goals.

Impressed in last seasons preseason, included in their US tour and will look to do this same this year having travelled with the first team to America again.

Played under Gerrard when the Liverpool legend was coaching the U-18's side and U-19's Youth league side. Gerrard had high praise of the youngster at his time coaching the U-18's “This team is built around him. He’s a top talent and he’s a top player”. He also finished that season as the team top scorer with 18 goals in 29 games for the U-18's, which is a superb return for an attacking midfielder.

The youngster has been part of the senior set-up since his debut for the first team and is looking to push on from this appearance for the first team. He became a regular last season for the U 23's scoring 4 goals and 2 assists in 13 games, which isn't bad for a midfielder. Klopp is clearly impressed with the young midfielder, taking him on his second preseason tour with the reds this year in America again. Already played a part in both of our early preseason games, scoring in the Tranmere game, Curtis looks to be impressing again in preseason and bodes well for the youngster going into the new season.

Ben Woodburn seems to be the forgotten man amongst our academy due to his early rise to fame among the youngsters of Liverpool. The young play maker became the youngest goalscorer for Liverpool football club in our history, at the age of 17, when he scored against Leeds in the League Cup quarter final back in November 2016, breaking the record set by Michael Owen who scored at the age of 19 years of age.

Player Profile:

Born 15/10/1999 in Nottingham.

Position - Forward (inside left winger)

Joined the club at U-7's level and became a very praised youngster among the academy and was poised to break through into the first team. Maybe this was a bit premature but a lot of people had high hopes for the youngster.

Made his debut for the U-18's in 2015-2016 season at the age of 15 and was top goalscorer for the club that season.

Played a part of the 2016-17 Preseason, getting a few crucial appearances and minutes for the club. He then went on to make his first team debut in November that season against s

Sunderland, 3 days before he scored his first senior goal for the club against Leeds. Woodburn continued his fast rise into the first team with a further 9 first team appearances, 5 of these being in the premier league. That year he was also named Academy player of the year. This lead him to getting his very first senior call-up to the wales side, representing his country. It was quite the breakthrough season for the young forward and he continued this with an emphatic winning goal for wales in an world cup qualifier against Austria. He was then rewarded on October of 2017 by signing a new long term contract with the club.

However, this is where the fairy tale takes a turn for the youngster, he went on to gain limited opportunities for the reds that season and the next summer decided to go on loan to Sheffield united, which proved to be a very disappointing time for our young forward and he soon returned to the reds January 2019.

The 2018/19 season proved to be a difficult one for Woodburn but after he returned to Melwood, he put his down and got back to work and we are starting to see the return of the youngster we were all so hopeful of. Woodburn has featured in both of our preseason games and has travelled to America on our US tour, hopefully he can get back to his best.

Ryan Kent is an interesting one for Liverpool academy, he has had a number of impressive loan spells, notably at Barnsley FC & Rangers.Although, he also had a couple of loans that were seemingly underwhelming, being at Bristol city & SC Freiburg. He is now back with Liverpool, playing in our preseason and is in America for our US tour trying to prove a point to the manager and fans.

Player Profile:

Born 11/11/1996 in Oldham.

Position - Winger

He's quite a direct winger who likes to dribble and whip the ball into the box, hes also not afraid to shoot from distance.

Joined Liverpool's Academy at the age of 7.

He worked his way up and became a regular for the U-21's, which earned him a four & half year contract in March 2015, and gained him a spot on the 2015-16 preseason tour. This saw him go on a short loan spell to Coventry, before going on loan again the next season to Barnsley. This loan was one of his more impressive ones, making 47 appearances, scoring 3 goals and being named their young player of the season. The following season saw him go on loan twice on 6 month stints, first to SC Frieburg and then to Bristol City, both loans proving to be ineffective and essentially pointless in terms of Kent's development. It was the following season that he was loaned out to Rangers FC where former Liverpool icon, Steven Gerrard was just appointed manager. This was arguably Kent's best season, scoring 6 times for the old firm side and making 43 appearances. It is also notable that Kent seemingly developed a great deal of his game under Gerrard's care and may well of forced himself into Klopp's plans for the club.

The young winger is now 22 and it seems like it is now of never in terms of his career with the reds. However, this is boosted by the fact Klopp has taken Kent with him on the US tour and has given him a chance to further impress the German manager. Furthermore, the departure of Striker, Sturridge proves to present an opportunity for Kent, as Klopp has told the press, that we are unlikely to make multiple acquisitions in the transfer window. Now this could leave a gap that Kent could fill and it seems Klopp is in no hurry to offload any of the youngsters on loan at the moment. It is even reported that Klopp has rebuffed any offers for Kent in an attempt to keep him at Melwood for the upcoming season. This could be the chance Kent has been waiting for and seems he could be in line to get some appearances for the senior reds after all.

Harry Wilson is another youngster like Ryan Kent who it would seem is at his make or break point, in regards to his reds career. The young Welsh winger is known for his prolific free kicks and long range goals.

Player Profile:

Born 22/03/1997 in Wrexham.

Player Position - Winger/Attacking midfielder, with a magic left foot.

Style of play - Loves a long shot with a wicked left foot, expert free kick taker and has a key eye for a through ball. He also likes to cut in on his left foot and shoot from range, but not afraid to go down the line and get the ball into the box.

Wilson joined the club at U-9 level and has progressed to the first team under Jurgen Klopp.

The youngest player to play for the wales national squad, making his debut in October 2013, at 16 years & 208 days.

Made his Liverpool debut not until January 2017 against Plymouth Argyle, as a substitute in the third round replay of the FA Cup. This debut came in a very notable season for the young winger, becoming a regular at Melwood for first team training, and scoring 28 goals for the U-23's.

He has had two loans in his early career, one at Crewe Alexander in 2015, scoring 7 goals in 13 games and also at Hull City in the second half of 2017/18, in which he managed to helped the northern side avoid relegation from the championship. Soon after this he signed a new long term contract with the reds, before going on loan again to Chelsea legends Derby county. This was a very impressive and landmark season for Wilson, scoring 18 goals over the year, most notably, a free kick against Man United to send Derby through to the FA Cup 4th round and knock out the Manchester giants. This game in particular was one that got Wilson noticed, not just for his very impressive free kick, but also for his five champions league celebration, taken from the likes of Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres. He was also a major part of Derby getting to the play-off final, where Derby were beat by Aston Villa to remain in the Championship.

The youngster is now back with the reds and has travelled with them on their US tour. This is his chance to impress Jurgen and finally force his way into the first team. I personally believe Wilson should get every chance at Liverpool, we are need of some young wingers coming through and challenging our lethal front three. So far during preseason he has had two 45 minutes half, getting an assist for fellow youngster Rhian Brewster in the Tranmere game. Hopefully Wilson continues to impress during preseason, and with any luck he can get a chance with the reds this season, we all want our young reds to succeed at the club and Wilson could be a future star for the club.

Ki-Jana Hoever is a young Dutch Defender signed from Ajax in September 2018. A very highly rated youngster who the clubs have high hopes for.

Player Profile:

Born 18/01/2018 in Amsterdam.

Player position - Centre Back/Full back

U-17 dutch international who started his Liverpool career with the U-18's under Barry Lewtas.

Hoever was also a regular for the U-19's UEFA Youth League squad & was quickly moved up to the U-23's in November 2018, in which he impressed in his debut against Everton in a 1-0 win.

Continuing his quick rise through the ranks, he was called up to the first team training due to a few first team injuries, learning from his fellow Dutchman Virgil Van Dijk. Making his debut in January for the reds in the FA Cup third round against Wolves, when Dejan Lovern got an injury during the game. This made Hoever our third youngest player to play for the club and he certainly didn't disappoint, partnering Fabinho at the centre of our back line. Everything surrounding the young dutch defender has been very positive and is certainly pushing on the door for first team chances.

He made 7 appearances for the U-23's last season and is now being called up with the first team for our preseason, gaining 45 minutes in both early games and now travelled to the US on our tour. For me this is early for Hoever in his Liverpool career, he should use this time to learn from the senior players, enjoy the experience and do his best to catch the eye of the manager. He is only 17, so plenty of time to gain experience and further his Liverpool career going into the new season.

Paul Glatzel another very exciting young striker for the academy, who captains the U-18's side. He formed a very formidable partnership with bobby Duncan last season for the U-18's, both scoring 20+ goals for the young reds and making a name for himself as a expect finisher.

Player Profile:

Born 20/02/2001 in Liverpool.

Player Position: Forward/Striker

Been part of the Academy since U-7 level.

German/English international.

High pressing player, with excellent close ball control & movement.

After being named captain of the U-18's, Glatzel went on to score 29 goals and 10 assists for Liverpool youth sides. A player that is both goal scorer and creator, real double threat for the young reds.

Last season he also signed his first professional contract for the reds and even made his debut for the U-23's. As well as playing for the U-18's, he also played for the U-19's in the FA Youth Cup, scoring 8 goals and becoming the top scorer of the tournament. It is safe to say that Glatzel is a born goalscorer and will have a bright future with the reds.

Few words from former reds youth coach Tim Lees “Paul is an elite talent; brilliant one-on-one especially with the defender behind, has such intelligent movement to arrive into spaces and scores every type of goal,”.

Evidence of Glatzel's further development was that he was named part of the squad fro Klopp's preseason this year. However, in his first game for the senior side, he was forced off the field just 15 minutes into the second half and is said to sustained a knee injury. This is most unfortunate for the youngster, as he would of liked to impress the manager and could of even seen himself on the plane to the US tour.

There is still plenty of time for the youngster and is expected to come back stronger than ever.

Rhys Williams is a relatively unknown quantity amongst most Liverpool fans, but the young centre back is spoken very high off among the Academy, he has even been likened to our very own Dutch hero, Virgil Van Dijk.

Player Profile:

Born 03/02/2001 in Preston

Position - Centre back

Very comfortable with the ball at his feet and strong in the air.

Been at the Academy since U-10 level and is now a regular in the U-18's & U-19's UEFA Youth League side.

Made his debut for the U-23's in November 2018 against Villarreal. He also signed his first professional contract with the club in February 2019 and made his international debut for the U-18's. Furthermore, he was part of the FA Cup Youth side that won the tournament for the young reds last season in an emphatic penalty shootout win over Man City... quite the year for the young centre back.

Said to be watching Van Dijk very closely and trying to mould his own game to the colossus Dutchman's.

Unlike the others in this post, Williams is the only one to not been part of this years preseason tour. This is in no way a comment on the potential or ability of the youngster, I simply believe that it is just a year too early for the young centre back. I fully believe that with avoiding injuries and working hard, we will see a lot more of Williams around the first team.

Hope you have enjoyed reading this and learning more about the next generation of Liverpool stars.