Liverpool youngsters will be worth their weight in gold as a financial crisis looms
Liverpool fans at Anfield held their breath as an 18-year-old local lad stepped up to place the ball on the spot in the front of the Kop end on a cold night in October.
Curtis Jones’ strike was too good for Arsenal keeper Emiliano Martinez as Liverpool won the Carabao Cup tie 5-4 on penalties after a pulsating 5-5 draw in normal time. More than providing ample excitement for the neutrals, that night also provided a glimpse into what the future could hold at Anfield.
There were six players under the age of 20 in the starting XI that night. Some would go on to become familiar names for fans over the coming months. The promise shown by these players could become Liverpool’s salvation as financial uncertainty proves to be a real threat.
A financial crisis demands a change in strategy
With the coronavirus pandemic halting football operations, clubs have been hit hard financially. The lack of revenue streams is set to hinder the majority of the clubs, with Liverpool no exception. This may adversely affect Liverpool’s ability to compete in the transfer market.
This comes in spite of the Reds having one of the healthier financials in the league. Liverpool made a pre-tax profit of £42 million and increased turnover to £533 million in 2018-19.
Considering that the Reds’ relatively young squad gives them some leeway in not needed to enforce a complete overhaul, adding strength in depth still remains a concern. Too often has the current season promised to be something special, only for a lack of quality replacements gone on to ruin it.
With Adam Lallana in the final weeks of his contract and the futures of Dejan Lovren and Xherdan Shaqiri up in the air, remaining idle is not an option.
The Reds could make use of Bosman signings to fill the gaps, but it would at best just a temporary gesture. The likes of Willian to whom the Reds have been linked will turn 32 this year. Although his experience and quality aren’t in doubt, he would outlive his usefulness in a couple of seasons.
Under Klopp, the Reds have revamped the youth system and have not been shy to give players opportunities. In fact, the cup competitions have turned into something akin to a trial by fire to academy graduates.
The likes of Harvey Elliott, Neco Williams, Yasser Larouci, Curtis Jones, and Rhian Brewster lead a list of names that have all turned into household names on Merseyside. The youngsters have shown they have what it takes to take the step up while also displaying a willingness to learn.
A full-set at full-back
One of the key positions that requires strengthening is at full-back. Liverpool, possess what is arguably the best pairing in the world in Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andy Robertson.
The duo has played whenever fit and are key components in the Liverpool system. Joe Gomez has had to fill in at right-back while James Milner has more often than not played left-back when needed.
However, the clubs do lack suitable cover in these positions. At least that’s what it looked like until this season.
The emergence of Neco Williams and Yasser Larouci should ease concerns in the coming years. The former has garnered an impressive three assists in five games– one more than Aaron Wan-Bissaka in spite of him having played 29 games more.
Both Williams and Larouci were part of the Reds squad hat won the FA Youth Cup last season. They should now be groomed to take the step up to the next level.
More Dutch defenders please!
If all goes well, Virgil van Dijk will not be the only Dutch colossus at Anfield.
With Dejan Lovren’s future uncertain, an addition to center-back should also be on Klopp’s mind. The Croatian is by no means a bad defender but is largely an unreliable one.
Currently the third-choice at best, he will need to move on in order to gain regular football. Often ridiculed by a section of the fanbase, it would appear that the 30-year-old can do no right.
The Reds have an impressive pairing in Joe Gomez and Van Dijk. Joel Matip is a capable understudy leaving one spot open for a promising defender.
Rather than look outwards for a replacement, the Reds should look to promote promising youngster Ki-Jana Hoever. The 18-year-old Dutchman is held in high regard at Melwood and is a regular in the youth sides for both club and country.
He made the step up to the senior sides in the cup competitions this season. He became the fourth-youngest scorer in club history with his goal at MK Dons in the Carabao Cup.
Also capable at playing at right-back, Hoever should make an ideal fourth choice defender. It should afford him more playtime while also giving him the opportunity to train alongside the best defender on the planet.
Sepp van der Berg is another option at Klopp’s disposal. Another Dutchman, he still needs to get a grip on the English game before he can be thrown in at the far end.
Liverpool will do well to cash in on Lovren rather than lose him for a free next season. Not only will the club recoup cash but also open up a slot for a promising young player to work his magic.
A midfield magician
Liverpool’s Achilles heel this season has been the absence of creativity from midfield. The lack of a player who can pick the lock from the middle of the park has been duly missed, especially in those games where the front three have failed to fire.
Georginio Wijnaldum does that well for the Dutch national side but has an altogether different purpose in the Liverpool XI. Ideally, the part of the playmaker should have fallen to Lallana. A technically accomplished player whose impact has been curtailed by injuries.
With him due to leave the club in the next window, Liverpool has a readymade replacement in Curtis Jones. The 19-year-old exudes calmness and has shown that he has a keen eye for goal. His winner against Everton in the FA Cup is a moment that will live on in Merseyside derby folklore.
He led yet another youthful Liverpool side out in the FA Cup replay against Shrewsbury Town. By doing so he gained the distinction of being the club’s youngest ever captain.
Liverpool have also dismissed talks of him seeking a loan away and expect him to continue to impress at Anfield. With Lallana moving on, he should be given more opportunities at the highest level.
The Reds also have the likes of Pedro Chirivella and Marko Grujic. People sometimes forget that the former is still 22 given that he has been at the club forever. Once considered expendable, he has made a case for himself with his performances this season. Chirivella is not a world-beater but has proven to be a dependable player to call on if needed.
Grujic, on the other hand, has impressed on his loan at Hertha Berlin. Klopp’s first signing at Liverpool, the Serban has matured into a dynamic player in the Bundesliga. It remains to be seen if the player has a future at Anfield, but given the current climate, the Reds should look to keep him.
An infallible scorer
A key addition for Liverpool has to be a dependable scorer to fill in for Roberto Firmino. Divock Origi has failed to repeat last season’s heroics and is largely an unreliable option to have.
There were a lot of expectations on Rhian Brewster going into this season. Klopp had seen enough of the youngster to not sign a striker in the last window, choosing to give the youngster his shot instead.
In spite of enjoying a promising pre-season, injuries have limited Brewster’s impact and appearances this season. A loan to Swansea City in January was just the tonic the player needed to rediscover his touch. He has scored four goals in 11 appearances for the Swans and should return to Anfield much more experienced.
Another player who Liverpool should back to make the step up is Paul Glatzel. The 19-year-old is a prolific scorer, who netted an impressive 21 goals in the last campaign.
He suffered a knee injury during the pre-season that has kept him out of action so far. He is closing in on a return and Liverpool should entrust him with more responsibilities, as he showed last season that he can produce the goods consistently in front of the goal. Liverpool’s faith in the player was showcased in him being offered a new contract last September, in spite of his injury.
The wonderkid
The signing of talented winger Harvey Elliott was regarded as one for the future.
However, not many would have expected the youngster to prove himself off the bat for the senior side.The youngest ever player to start a game for the Reds, Elliott’s talent at times seems bottomless as he threatens to blossom into a world-class attacker.
Playing in the same position as Mohamed Salah, he has spoken of being inspired by the Egyptian’s guidance. It is perhaps apt that he made his Premier League bow by replacing Salah late on in the 2-0 win against Sheffield United this season.
Read more
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The 17-year-old is not short of confidence and is a fearless player on the pitch. He has recently spoken on his intention to follow in the footsteps of club legend Steven Gerrard.
Lofty ambitions but not without reason considering his performances so far. With Xherdan Shaqiri seemingly on his way out, Liverpool should hand Elliott a bigger role in the coming months.
Verdict
Liverpool are fortunate to have a strong first XI hardly in need of any changes. The same cannot be said for the second string. However, with a number of talented youngsters coming through the system, the Reds should turn to them to counter the uncertainty in the transfer market.
Rather than risk spending on players in these financially unviable times, the club should invest in a conveyor belt of talent coming through.
