6 Liverpool academy stars who are set for a big breakthrough in 2023-24
Liverpool fans have reason to get excited about their current crop of young academy stars and we reckon a few of them are set for a big breakthrough this season.
Jurgen Klopp has handed out plenty of debuts to academy graduates over the years and he has plenty of upcoming stars to pick from this year – and given the gaps in his senior squad, his hand may be forced to turn to the youth.
We’ve gone through the Liverpool youth ranks and have picked out six academy stars who we think are set for a big breakthrough in 2023-24.
Calum Scanlon
The rapid left-back is definitely one to keep your eye on. Liverpool snapped him up from Birmingham as a 15-year-old in 2020 for a fee of £500,000.
He missed a large chunk of last season through injury, but now seems to have put those woes behind him. The 18-year-old did feature for Liverpool in pre-season and could be the Reds’ long-term Andy Robertson successor.
James McConnell
The attacking midfielder penned a new long-term contract with Liverpool last year and he got his chance to impress Klopp while on their pre-season tour.
McConnell is yet to make his competitive senior debut for the Reds, but we’re sure that won’t be long off. Klopp was especially impressed with the 18-year-olds performance against Leicester in pre-season.
“James [McConnell] on the six is just a joy to watch – the boy never played the position before we put him there and he throws his heart on the pitch to fill the role. These things are really good,” Klopp told reporters.
Ben Doak
This one goes without saying really. Having already been dubbed the Scottish Messi, Doak has all the ingredients to make it at the top. Especially after an eye-catching pre-season.
READ: Liverpool have the Scottish Messi in their ranks – & Jurgen Klopp’s already in love
Lewis Koumas
Son of former Wales international Jason Koumas, young Lewis has had some football upbringing to say the least. The 17-year-old can play in a variety of roles, but is now most known for being a number nine.
His strike rate for the Under-18s has been eye-catching as he notched 14 goals and five assists last season. His first senior appearance is surely around the corner.
Conor Bradley
As Liverpool have sent fellow right-back Calvin Ramsey out on loan for the season, Bradley could seize his opportunity this season and make his first team breakthrough.
The 20-year-old right-back enjoyed a hugely successful loan spell with Bolton Wanderers last season where he chipped in with nine goal contributions in the league alone.
“I feel like I have improved both as a person and player massively and hopefully that can do me well for the rest of my career,” Bradley told the Bolton club website.
Conor Bradley continuing his fantastic start on loan with Bolton with an absolute rocket today 🚀 pic.twitter.com/Hb6iUka18o
— Anfield Edition (@AnfieldEdition) August 9, 2022
Jarell Quansah
After a loan spell with Bristol Rovers last season, Quansah has already had a taste of senior football. The towering centre-half has made the bench for Liverpool in the Premier League and EFL Cup but he is set to make his senior debut.
Bristol Rovers boss Joey Barton heaped the praise on the youngster last season: “I’m mindful of not heaping too much on the kids but, why not?” Barton told Bristol Live.
“The one concern we had when we brought him in was his heading ability because we knew he could leap, he could score a goal at the back post, but he’s getting well-versed in the physical, aerial contact.
“But the heading he’s doing from a defensive standpoint is what any senior would be proud of. He has an enormous future in front of him.”
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