Liverpool Academy director Alex Inglethorpe called Jurgen Klopp “the difference-maker” for the success of youth players at the club
Academy director Alex Inglethorpe credited Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp for developing youth players at the club. Klopp has maintained the balance of immense ambition of the club with continuing the culture of providing chances to youngsters.
Liverpool are currently at the top of the Premier League table and they have progressed further in each cup competition. They are facing Chelsea in the Carabao Cup finals at Wembley Stadium on Sunday, hoping to repeat 2021-22’s success.
Liverpool have built a culture of providing opportunities to the youngsters from their academy instead of solely relying on transfers. While other clubs spent immense cash in the transfer market, they used the academy alongside shrewd business deals.
Nevertheless, the Reds have maintained their status as the top competition for dominant Manchester City in the past half a decade. Despite facing incredible odds and having ambitions for a quadruple season, Liverpool continues to play youngsters in big games.
Speaking to Jamie Carragher in an insightful interview (h/t Telegraph), Inglethorpe highlighted the unique influence of Klopp on the academy. He said:
“Credit to them all, but Jurgen is the difference. There are a lot of good academies out there, but not all clubs have a manager with the courage to play youngsters at big moments. He does not just give 10 minutes here and there with the team 4-0 up. There are so many examples when he has played virtually complete academy teams. There are times when I have looked at the starting XI and thought, ‘Wow, I’m not sure even I would do that’. Jurgen has not just talked about developing youth, he has actually done it. Caoimhin (Kelleher) playing in the 2022 League Cup final is the prime example. It would have been so easy to pick Alisson in the final. He believes in these players.”
Trent Alexander-Arnold, Curtis Jones, Harvey Elliott, Stefan Bajcetic and Caoimhin Kelleher have established themselves in the senior team under Klopp. This season, he put faith in players like Jarell Quansah and Conor Bradley even when Liverpool faced an injury crisis.
"He's been brilliant for bringing young lads through and giving them a chance to grow"
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) February 23, 2024
Caoimhin Kelleher on what Jurgen Klopp has done for Liverpool's Academy pic.twitter.com/7fvdibuOc1
These players have continuously lived up to the faith shown by the 56-year-old as the club continues to perform well. Klopp has announced that he is stepping back from the managerial role at the end of the current season.
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Despite the heartbreaking news, the Liverpool fanbase hopes that Klopp’s successor can continue the culture he is leaving behind. Liverpool have a formidable youth system and a healthy way of achieving success that needs to continue.
