The Reds have a crop of hugely-talented youngsters coming through – here are the ones to watch out for in 2022-23…
The Liverpool production line shows no sign of slowing.
As Jurgen Klopp’s senior squad looks, once again, to challenge on all fronts again this season, at academy level the Reds look in similarly good shape.
Both Marc Bridge-Wilkinson’s Under-18 side and Barry Lewtas’ U23s will be packed full of talent once more.
Having seen the likes of Trent Alexander-Arnold and Curtis Jones emerge in recent seasons, and first-team opportunities dished out to a host of other young prospects, there will be a clutch of players hoping to get a chance to shine at Anfield this season.
Here, GOAL takes you through the ones to watch, in 2022-23 and beyond…
GettyKaide Gordon
OK, we’ll start with an obvious one, and one who made his first steps into senior football with Liverpool last season.
Gordon doesn’t turn 18 until October, but he has already played in the Premier League, scored at Anfield in the FA Cup against Shrewsbury and started at Arsenal in the semi-final of the Carabao Cup.
A smart, skilful winger with excellent finishing ability, the former Derby County youngster is perhaps the brightest prospect at the club right now, outside of first-teamers such as Jones, Harvey Elliott and Fabio Carvalho.
It will be interesting to see how he develops this season, when he will hope for more chances to shine.
AdvertisementGetty/GOALTyler Morton
Another to have enjoyed a breakthrough campaign last time out, the Wirral-born midfielder, who has been with the club since the age of seven, made nine appearances in total, including starts against Tottenham in the Premier League and both Porto and AC Milan in the Champions League.
A good all-rounder, he is expected to develop into a No.8 as opposed to a holding midfield player, and while there is clear room for improvement physically, the 19-year-old made a fine impression on Klopp and his staff with his technical quality and range of passing.
GettyStefan Bajcetic
Quietly, Liverpool may have pulled off a hell of a coup in signing this versatile Spanish U18 international from Celta Vigo at the start of 2021.
Bajcetic, the son of a former Serbian international, can play either as a centre-back or in midfield, and made significant strides last season before a back injury curtailed his campaign.
Composed on the ball, excellent in the air and with the ability to read the game expertly, he is one whom academy staff have high hopes for going forward.
GettyOakley Cannonier
It’s hard to ignore anyone who scores more than 40 goals in a season, and Cannonier was that man for Liverpool last season.
He netted 28 times in the U18 Premier League North, and will now look to make the step up to U23 level this year.
While small in stature, the Leeds-born forward comes alive in and around the penalty box, where his movement and finishing ability off either foot stands out.
Will need to fill out physically, and may find the step up in level tough to begin with, but has made huge steps in the last 12 months.