Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has stated that the club will be giving opportunities to youngsters in the future. The Reds might have signed a number of players in this window but the German manager was allaying fears that the players coming through the academy would not get chances.
The former Borussia Dortmund manager was speaking to the Mirror and wants to bring talent from within the club rather than to buy from outside.
“I can promise that before we sign a player who isn’t a lot better than what we already have we will always use our own boys.
“That’s how the future should be, even in the crazy football transfer world. We want to be this special club.”
The funny part of this comment is that the Reds actually let go of many youngsters in the previous window. Jordon Ibe and Brad Smith were two such players who ended up signing for Bournemouth but to be fair, neither player looked set to make a breakthrough.
Smith couldn’t get a game for the Reds while Ibe’s growth had stagnated and maybe a new club will suit the pair. Liverpool did sign a youngster in Marko Grujic during the winter window, though the midfielder did only join in the summer.
Also, Loris Karius is only 23 at the moment and is sure to grow and get better. So the youth policy of Klopp does stand.
A bright future for the youngsters at Liverpool
There might have been some disappointment in seeing players such as Ibe and Smith leave but the Reds also have a number of players coming through the ranks. The likes of Cameron Brannagan and Kevin Stewart getting a few minutes for the first team.
Another youngster that seems set for a great run is Sheyi Ojo. The winger might be working on his return from injury but from his initial showings, the Reds certainly have a great player on their hands.
The Liverpool team also have one of the youngest sides in the Premier League and if Klopp has his way, it will certainly get younger.
The manager also stated that he is following the youngsters more closely this season.
“This season I went to watch the under-23s at Tranmere and I’d like to do that much more often. I always did it at my former clubs when I had time.
“At the moment we have found a good solution with Pep, who takes the talent training at Melwood. We are still in contact. We are pretty close with the staff at the Academy.”
The need for youngsters coming through the system
Liverpool have always had an academy player in their first team but this does not seem to be happening in the recent past. Even after the likes of Jon Flanagan broke into the team, he was not able to cement a position.
The Reds do need someone to step up from the youth academy. Not only does it help the fans connect with a youngster coming through the system, it also ensures that the Reds do not have to worry about the quota of “homegrown” players.
Jurgen Klopp certainly seems to know what he is doing. And it shouldn’t be a surprise if Liverpool do have a number of youngsters breaking into the first team this season as well.
