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Where are they now? The first 10 players handed PL debuts for Liverpool by Jurgen Klopp

Ben Stewart •

Jurgen Klopp has dished out plenty of Premier League debuts since arriving at Liverpool back in 2015. We’ve checked out where his first 10 debutants are playing today.

The German boss has enjoyed a hugely successful period while in England as he’s managed to get his hands on seven trophies, including the Premier League and Champions League. The task of replacing him at Anfield will be immensely difficult.

We’ve gone right back to Klopp’s early days in the job and have found the first 10 players he handed Premier League debuts to and have checked out what they are up to these days.

Kevin Stewart

The holding midfielder was given his first chance at top-flight football by Klopp back in February 2016. He went on to make 11 Premier League appearances under Klopp, but eventually fell out of favour and joined Championship outfit Hull City.

Stewart was a solid performer in the Championship, but injuries have often hampered his progress. After spending the last few years with Blackpool, the 30-year-old is currently a free agent.

Sheyi Ojo

The winger was handed his first chance by Klopp in a 3-2 defeat against Southampton back in March 2016. Ojo made eight league appearances for the Reds before he was shipped out on several loan moves.

He eventually left for good in 2022 and signed for Cardiff on a permanent basis. Although after just one year with the Welsh club, he now finds himself out on loan again, this time with Belgian Pro League club K.V. Kortrijk.

Connor Randall

The former Liverpool full-back now plays for Ross County, but he still has plenty of fond memories from his time at Anfield. Klopp handed him his debut in April 2016 in an away victory against Bournemouth.

“I remember my Premier League debut, it was the away game. It was a good game,” Randall told the Liverpool Echo. “When you’re finding out the day before the game that you’re playing, you’re just full of excitement.

“It was a dream come true to be able to achieve that, and it’s something that no one can take away from me. It’s something I look back on with pride and fondness.”

Danny Ward

The life of a backup goalkeeper is never easy, but Ward finally got his chance to shine towards the tail end of 2015-16. Ward only made two league appearances under Klopp as he often had to settle for a place on the bench.

Even after leaving Liverpool to join Leicester City, the goalkeeper once again went on to play the back-up role. He finally featured regularly in the Foxes’ relegation campaign, but is yet to play a minute in the Championship this season.

Cameron Brannagan

After making his senior debut in May 2016, there was plenty of hype surrounding the Liverpool youngster. Unfortunately, he didn’t quite make the grade at Anfield, but he has had a solid career in the Football League since leaving.

Brannagan will be a household name to those fans who follow League One as he has racked up over 250 appearances for Oxford United since 2017. He’s scored some beauties in that time too.

Pedro Chirivella

The Spanish midfielder only made one senior league appearance for Liverpool in May 2016 during a 3-1 defeat against Swansea. Despite not making the grade at Anfield, Chirivella has found success elsewhere in Europe.

Now 26, Chirivella captains Ligue 1 side Nantes where he has spent the last three seasons. Not bad going.

Sergi Canos

Canos was handed his one and only Liverpool appearance by Klopp in May 2016 during a 1-1 draw with West Brom. Despite spending his younger years with Liverpool, Canos is probably best known for his time at Brentford.

The Spanish winger played a noteworthy role in their promotion from the Championship and then helped Thomas Frank’s side to establish themselves in the top flight. These days he is back in Spain playing for Valencia.

Ragnar Klavan

The Estonian centre-half became one of Klopp’s first Liverpool signings and he was given his debut in the opening game of the 2016-17 season during a bonkers 4-3 triumph against Arsenal.

While he never pulled up many trees while at Anfield, Klavan proved himself to be a solid if unspectacular centre-back during his two-year spell on Merseyside.

The 37-year-old is still playing to this day and is currently turning out for Estonian outfit JK Tallinna Kalev.

Marko Grujic

The Serbian midfielder was handed several first-team appearances during Klopp’s first few years in charge. After some early signs of promise, he was sent out on loan and then eventually left the club in 2021 to join Porto permanently.

Since leaving Liverpool, Grujic has made quite the name for himself in Portugal as he’s managed to rack up over 100 appearances for Porto across the last few seasons.

Joel Matip

The only player on this list who is still playing for Liverpool to this day. He made his debut in August 2016 and has gone on to make 194 appearances for the Reds since then.

“Look, I cannot help people who don’t see the quality of Joel Matip,” Klopp told reporters in 2021. “He is an incredible player, he was always an incredible player since he joined us at least. So that’s really good.”

The defender is out of contract this summer and it looks as though he’ll be waving goodbye alongside Klopp at the end of the season.

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