Jurgen Klopp continues the healthy tradition of promoting youth players and fully utilizing the Liverpool academy
Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has continued the healthy pattern of presenting opportunities to the academy players during this season. Talents such as Jarell Quansah and Conor Bradley have fully repaid the 56-year-old’s faith in the young players.
Liverpool are currently at the top of the Premier League table with few points separating them from indomitable Manchester City. Furthermore, the Reds have taken every competition seriously, progressing ahead with the idea of going all the way.
More cup ties present more fixtures in an already congested season followed by continuous poor scheduling that has targeted Liverpool. The Reds have played numerous early kick-offs after international breaks with no other club near their tally. More so, with injuries and international tournaments affecting the availability of senior stars, solutions were needed.
Adding salt to the wound, they are facing several absentees due to injuries and international duties, pushing the squad’s depth. Klopp refrained from using the January window to buy a player at an inflated price with more risk than reward.
Instead, the German relied on the Liverpool academy to sort out his defensive fragility which many thought to be disastrous. The Reds lost Andy Robertson and Kostas Tsimikas before 2024 began, leaving versatile defender Joe Gomez as the only choice.
Meanwhile, they lost vice-captain and primary playmaker Trent Alexander-Arnold to a knee injury. A season-long injury, sustained in December, has already sidelined veteran defender Joel Matip.
Jarell Quansah: rising star in Liverpool’s defence
Quansah has already enjoyed numerous opportunities this season and he has proven to be a capable senior team centre-back. The 20-year-old has already made 15 appearances, contributing with a goal and two assists in all competitions. Quansah spent the latter half of last season at Bristol Robers, proving his qualities on and off the ball.
The England U21 made his first professional debut for Liverpool in the thrilling game against Newcastle United in August. The Reds lost Virgil van Dijk to a red card, playing with 10 men at the hostile St James Park.
Nevertheless, Quansah came on for Matip in the last 13 minutes of the game and showed his brilliant composure. The youngster helped Liverpool achieve a dramatic win by keeping the Magpies’ attack at bay in the final stage. Quansah has successfully secured his place in the senior team squad, competing with the likes of Ibrahima Konate.
As things stand, the Reds have secured the centre-back position, defying expectations for a January signing. According to Transfermarkt, Quansah’s value has seen a steep rise this season and currently lies at €6m. In the inflated transfer market, a player of Quansah’s potential, quality and age would cost more than €50m. The young talent earns massive praise as analysts compare him to his captain Van Dijk, both being Englishmen.
Conor Bradley: filling the void at right-back
Meanwhile, Trent’s injury left a big hole in the right-back position with Gomez busy plugging the hole in the left-back. Furthermore, the team’s vice-captain is already showing signs that his future lies in the central midfield.
Trent has continued to play his role as an inverted right-back which he took at the latter half of last season. The Englishman has also played as a number six whenever Gomez received the opportunity to play at the right-back.
Trent’s future lies at the centre of the midfield to fully utilize his playmaking abilities and help cover the defence. Many experts and Kopites expected a right-back signing on the horizon given that Liverpool needs an overlapping fullback regardless.
Nevertheless, Klopp once again looked towards his academy and backed Bradley to take over the right-back role. The 20-year-old enjoyed a fantastic loan spell at Bolton Wanderers in 2022-23, earning respect and applause from his peers.
The Liverpool boss put Bradley in his pre-season squad, but the youngster suffered a back injury. One thing that the Reds have mastered under Klopp is their patience with the players and circumstances.
Instead of signing a backup right back, the Liverpool staff properly nursed Bradley back to full fitness. The Northern Irishman repaid the faith of the manager with an impressive 15-minute cameo against Arsenal at the FA Cup.
Bradley has since taken over the right-back role in the absence of Trent and delivered high-quality performances. Analysts liken the 20-year-old to his Scottish teammate Andy Robertson, highlighting his energy, relentlessness, and technical qualities.
Liverpool’s youth revolution: nurturing talent beyond expectations
Last season, Klopp introduced Harvey Elliot and Stefen Bajcetic to the senior team and they secured their spot with authority. Liverpool staff have used caution with Bajcetic and another talent Kaide Gordon, letting them develop more physically.
The youngsters are always under the threat of over-exposure or burnout, which shortens their careers or ruins their consistency. Klopp has recently provided opportunities to Calum Scanlon, Bobby Clark, James McConnell and Owen Beck.
Additionally, Ben Doak, Luke Chambers and Gordon enjoyed appearances in Europa League fixtures to gain senior experience. Transfermarkt.co.uk (h/t X) reported that Liverpool are significantly ahead of other Premier League clubs in providing opportunities to youngsters. They have given nine young players opportunities with the total sum of matches reaching 393 when Transfermarkt presented that stat.
The Kopites have always enjoyed it when youngsters break into the senior team ranks and prove their worth. Klopp promoted Trent, Curtis Jones and Caoimhin Kelleher during his “Liverpool 1.0” and it seems there will be a bigger youth invasion during “Liverpool 2.0.” The incredible achievement truly defines the legacy of the 56-year-old in the face of high-spending Premier League clubs. The Liverpool academy has not just saved millions but has proven to every talented youngster that the AXA Training Centre is the best place for them.
