9 Liverpool academy kids that Jurgen Klopp has improved: TAA, Jones, Bradley…

Jurgen Klopp hasn’t shied away from giving youngsters a chance throughout his time at Liverpool and we have identified nine academy kids that he has improved.

The Liverpool academy is one of the best in the business and they will regularly produce gems who eventually make a name for themselves in the senior squad.

We’ve picked out nine of the academy kids that Klopp has improved during his tenure at the club so far.

Trent Alexander-Arnold

The most obvious inclusion on this list. Klopp handed Alexander-Arnold his professional debut in 2016 and the rest is history.

Since being handed his first chance, the full-back has racked up over 300 appearances for the club and has amassed a whopping 86 assists in that time. There’s no doubt he’s one of the best in the business right now.

Since being utilised in a hybrid midfield role, the 25-year-old has been one of the best players in the league.

“It gives him much more freedom,” Klopp told TNT Sports when discussing the full-back and his new role.

“Being an eight or six, he will play there eventually, it will happen, but is it a position he has to play all the time or is it better he can demand a game from the right-back position then drop into midfield and on the wing, this kind of freedom?”

Curtis Jones

The midfielder has taken huge strides forward in recent years and Klopp no doubt had a key role to play in his development.

Since being handed his first chance in 2019, Jones has racked up over 100 appearances for the club. He’s made a substantial impact this season too, especially in the cup competitions.

The midfielder recently told TNT Sports: “I came around the team when I was 17, it wasn’t an easy thing, he (Klopp) was calling me in all the time, we were having chats and he was always saying ‘your time will come’

“I’m at the point now where my time’s come and I’m taking my chance.”

Jarell Quansah

Following a series of defensive injuries earlier in the season, Klopp was forced to turn to the academy. He handed Quansah his debut just five months ago and he’s already racked up 18 appearances for the club.

“Quansah, I’m not sure how long we have to talk about him as an Academy [player]. He is, yes, great, but he is now settled I would say [in the senior squad],” Klopp told reporters.

“He can still improve of course because of the age but he is an important part of the squad, like they all are.”

Impressively, Liverpool are yet to lose a Premier League match when Quansah has featured.

This crucial intervention from Jarell Quansah ⛔ pic.twitter.com/y5Sx8trohK

— Liverpool FC (@LFC) December 27, 2023

Stefan Bajcetic

The 2023-24 campaign has been a frustrating season for Bajcetic, but Liverpool fans are well aware of the talent that they have on their hands.

He was handed his senior debut last season and quickly garnered a reputation for himself within the Liverpool camp. Had it not been for a number of injury setbacks this year, the teenager would’ve been handed plenty more opportunities.

Tyler Morton

Morton has spent the last few years developing out on loan and he’s currently going well with Hull City in the Championship.

The 21-year-old regularly speaks highly of Klopp and is quick to praise the German boss for the role that he played in his development.

“He’s brilliant, he’s probably taught me everything I know because he brought me into professional football,” Morton told Hull Live.

“He gave me a taster of it and I couldn’t speak more highly of him as a manager and as a person. He’s given me the step to go out and play football for Blackburn and now for Hull. I really appreciate him.”

Neco Williams

The Reds eventually cashed in on Williams, but Klopp undoubtedly played a key role in his early development. After handing the full-back his debut in 2019, he went onto make 33 senior appearances before being sold to Nottingham Forest.

“He [Klopp] has played a massive part in my career so far,” Williams told Premier League productions. “To make it under Jurgen Klopp is an extra little boost for me and was a special moment.”

Caoimhin Kelleher

The role of a backup goalkeeper isn’t easy, but Kelleher has always impressed when given a chance in the cup competitions.

There have some some doubts over his long-term future as the shot-stopper has been tipped to go in search of first-team football elsewhere. Time will tell if he does stick around at Anfield.

Conor Bradley

Liverpool’s latest academy prodigy. Following an eye-catching loan spell with Bolton last season, Bradley has taken his chance under Klopp this season.

The stats speak for themselves.

READ: 7 incredible stats behind Conor Bradley’s remarkable Liverpool breakthrough

Nathaniel Phillips

Phillips was a late bloomer compared to a lot of the other players on this list as he was 23 years old by the time he was handed his first Premier League start under Klopp.

The defender was drafted into the Liverpool side following an injury crisis in 2020–21. He’s still on the books at Liverpool today and is currently out on loan with Cardiff.

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