Liverpool have a busy pre season which includes nine practice games before the real test start against Arsenal in this first game away at North London. The big reds squad will get a chance to prove themselves and the academy graduates will get a chance to play in these games as many of the senior players are yet to join the team after playing in the Euros. For some, these games will be a chance to prove that they belong at the club, for some youngsters these games will be a chance to impress other clubs to take them on loan and for the highly rated youngsters, this will be a great opportunity to clinch a place in the first team squad next season.
The best news this summer window will be the contract extension of Jurgen Klopp who has signed a new deal that keeps him at the club till 2022. This is the best piece of business that the club did which was to secure it’s biggest asset for a long term project. The reds have also invested well as the net spend is going to be minimal after the sales of Christian Benteke and Jordan Ibe even after signing Sadio Mane for a whopping £34 million. Many youngsters possess a chance to rub shoulders with the senior members and can find a place on the bench next season. Let’s take a look at the three youngsters who can make the cut next season:
1. Cameron Brannagan:
The 20 year old is one of the brightest prospects coming out of the academy in recent times. Last year, he signed a contract keeping him till 2018 and his performances for the Liverpool U21 made Barcelona curious and made an inquiry about the talented midfielder. He has made three appearances for the first team in the past couple of seasons and now must live upto his potential because he has all the elements that are needed to succeed at this level and eventually when Coutinho will be going to Spain, the reds have a ready made replacement waiting for his chance in Brannagan who has also represented in all the age groups.
2. Oviemuno Ejaria:
The U21 player started training with the first team when the training started on the second of July and has caught the attention of the coaching staff by his matured style of play which looks beyond his years. In the practice game against Tranmere Rovers, the reds fielded two different lineups in both the halfs where Brannagan and Ejaria were the standout performers. The youngster never looked out of place and was an imposing figure for the reds in the middle of the park. With issues in midfield for the reds, Ejaria can be a decisive player to use if he continues his progress at this rate.
3. Trent Alexander Arnold:
The 17 year old played brilliantly in the second half against Tranmere Rovers and like Ejaria, had impressed the coaching staff this week in training. Steven Gerrard has predicted a bright future for the youngster and he gave a glimpse of it with a brilliant assist to set up Danny Ings. The club and even England are closely monitoring his progress and Jurgen Klopp must use this youngster in cup games at least to continue his progress at the highest level.
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