Liverpool assistant manager Pepijn Lijnders highlights the successful development of young players while continuously challenging for trophies
Pepijn Lijnders explained the hard work behind developing young players at Liverpool while competing for trophies. The Reds are currently at the top of the Premier League table with a couple of points lead over Manchester City.
Liverpool have also successfully progressed further in the Europa League and the FA Cup competitions. On Sunday, they will face Chelsea in the Carabao Cup final at the Wembley Stadium.
Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp revamped the squad during the summer, with many long-serving players past their best departing the club. Furthermore, the 56-year-old made several midfield signs and patched up the area that showed the most weakness last season.
Klopp used youngsters from the Liverpool Academy throughout the season in cup competitions and when the Reds faced injuries. Youngsters like Jarell Quansah and Conor Bradley justified the faith shown by their manager by putting in consistent performances.
Bradley and Quansah secured their spot in the senior team with their performances, showing maturity and quality worthy of Liverpool. Under Klopp’s regime, many youngsters like Curtis Jones, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Harvey Elliott secured their spots at the senior level.
Speaking to the press conference before the Carabao Cup final (h/t Liverpoolfc.com), Lijnders outlined the work behind developing youngsters. He said:
“For me success is about growing, we spoke about developing this team, we focus on the young players to make them better with videos, training, meetings, passion, and then success is a logical result of that. Look at what Luton did in the first half but Liverpool FC is made for major trophies so we should always fight for them.”
Liverpool are facing a serious injury crisis that is threatening all the hard work they have done this season. The Reds are without several regular players who played a pivotal role this season due to injuries.
Liverpool have named five teenagers on the bench to face Luton:
— Squawka (@Squawka) February 21, 2024
19-year-old Bobby Clark
19-year-old Kaide Gordon
19-year-old James McConnell
18-year-old Jayden Danns
16-year-old Treymaurice Nyoni
Jürgen Klopp always trusts the academy. pic.twitter.com/yIMeVXzFKt
Long-term injuries have sidelined Trent Alexander-Arnold, Curtis Jones, Diogo Jota, Alisson Becker, Thiago Alcantara, and Stefan Bajcetic. Meanwhile, Dominik Szoboszlai, Mohamed Salah and Darwin Nunez are racing against time to be available for the Carabao Cup final.
More Liverpool News!
- Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp outlines ‘big favourites’ for Wembley showdown vs Chelsea
- Sad Liverpool newboy keen to send Jurgen Klopp off with a bang
- Stats show how Liverpool captain continues to lead by example
Liverpool needs their Academy players to step up in the absence of so many senior team members if they want to achieve success. While the task is daunting, they have shown that they have the quality to challenge the best teams in Europe.
